Cafu

Three World Cup finals and counting

Germany's forward Marco Bode (L) and Brazil's team captain and defender Cafu power over the green to take control of the ball during match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final 30 June, 2002 at the International Stadium Yokohama, Japan. AFP PHOTO ODD ANDERSEN

Smiley Brazilian defender Cafu has lived out every schoolboy's dream three times, playing in three consecutive World Cup finals no less.

Fifteen years after his Brazil debut, Cafu will have more than 140 caps to his name at the 2006 World Cup, and is still first choice in defence over the up-and coming Maicon.

Brazil's team captain and defender Cafu hoists the World Cup trophy after Brazil won 2-0 against Germany in match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final 30 June, 2002 at the International Stadium Yokohama, Japan. Brazil has now won a record five World Cup titles.Brazil previously was a FIFA World Cup winner in 1958, 1962, 1970 and 1994. AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS

And though he is the only player in history to have played in three World Cup finals, the wild thing is Brazil show every sign of providing their solid right back with another run to the final this time around.

He was captain last time out in 2002, when Brazil beat Germany 2-0 in the final, with Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho leading the charge.

The one-time model for the H&M fashion clothes line was also on the winning side in 1994, when Brazil beat Italy on penalties but where Romario and Bebeto had shone under the guidance of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, once again at the helm since 2003.

Brazilian Cafu is challenged by French Bixente Lizarazu 12 July during the 1998 Soccer World Cup final match between France and Brazil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris. France defeated Brazil 3-0 and won the 1998 FIFA Trophy. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO DANIEL GARCIA

He'd been on the substitutes' bench for every match in the US, but an injury to Jorginho saw him step up for the 1994 final.

Paris may be a great tourist destination but there were Brazilian tears there in 1998 as Cafu and company lost the 1998 World Cup final to a Zinedine Zidane inspired 3-0 victory for France after a mysterious sickness afflicted Ronaldo.

A decade in Europe

Real Madrid defender Brazilian Roberto Carlos (R) is challenged by AS Roma defender Brazilian Cafu during their Champions' League, Group C, first round match AS Roma - Real Madrid, 17 September 2002 at Rome's Olympic Stadium. AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS

A tireless worker, Cafu revolutionised the right back position much like Roberto Carlos has done on the left patrolling the flank and often joining his side in attack.

With AC Milan, Cafu forms part of a notably elder generation in defence alongside Paolo Maldini Alessandro Nesta and Jaap Stam which won Serie A in 2004. One of the strongest teams in Europe they however let a 3-0 lead over Liverpool slip in the 2005 Champions League final and were eventually beaten on penalties.

He made his professional debut for Sao Paulo in 1988 and helped the club to the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 1992 and 1993.

Cafu first made the switch to European football in 1995 when he joined Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza and they lifted the Cup Winners' Cup in his first season with a dramatic win over Arsenal in Paris.

He then caused a stir by joining Palmeiras, Sao Paulo's city rivals.

In 1997 though, the right back joined AS Roma where he continued to establish his reputation as one of the world's best defenders. Following the disappointment at the 1998 World Cup, he got back to winning ways by helping Brazil to the 1999 Copa America title.

Back at Roma, the team won their first Serie A title for 18 years sending the capital fans into delirium.