Cafu

Marcos Evangelista de Morais, more commonly known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right-back for clubs like Juventus, Roma, and A.C Milan. He was renowned for his pace and energetic attacking runs along the right flank, and is regarded as one of the best right-backs to ever play the game.

Early Life

Cafu was born on June 7, 1970, in São Paulo, Brazil. He grew up in the Jardim Irene neighborhood of São Paulo and was the son of a former footballer, Joaquim, who played as a defender for local clubs.

After attending the football academy at the age of 7, he moved ranks to represent the junior sides of various Brazilian clubs like Nacional-SP, Portuguesa, and Itaquaquecetuba. He was spotted by a scout from the São Paulo FC and joined the club's youth system at the age of 13.

Cafu quickly developed a reputation as a talented and hard-working player, and he rose through the ranks of the São Paulo FC youth system.

Club Career

Cafu had a highly successful club career, playing for some of the biggest clubs in Brazil and Europe. He started his professional career at São Paulo FC in 1990, where he made over 200 appearances and won several domestic and international titles, including the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1992 and 1993.

In 1995, Cafu moved to Europe to play for La Liga side Zaragoza, where he spent just one season before moving to Italian giants Roma. He quickly established himself as a key player for Roma, helping them win the Serie A title in the 2000-01 season. During his time at the club, he was also named as the Serie A Defender of the Year twice.

After six seasons with Roma, Cafu moved to another Italian side, AC Milan, in 2003. He spent seven seasons at Milan, winning several domestic and international titles, including two UEFA Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007. Cafu played an instrumental role in Milan's success, using his pace and attacking skills to make overlapping runs down the right flank and deliver crosses into the box.

Cafu's club career also saw him play for several other teams, including Palmeiras in Brazil, and he retired from professional football in 2008 at the age of 38.

International Career

Cafu's international career is just as illustrious as his club career. He made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 1990 and went on to represent his country at four consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, winning two.

Cafu was an integral part of the Brazilian team that won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, playing as a right-back and captaining the team in the latter tournament. He was also a member of the Brazilian squads that finished as runners-up in the 1998 World Cup and reached the quarter-finals in 2006.

In addition to his success in the World Cup, Cafu also helped Brazil win two Copa America titles and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997. He made a total of 142 appearances for the Brazilian national team, scoring five goals.

Records

• Cafu is the only player to have appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals, achieving the feat in 1994, 1998, and 2002. He won two of these finals, in 1994 and 2002.

• He also holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by a Brazilian player, with 20 appearances in four tournaments.

• Cafu is the most capped Brazilian player of all time, with 142 appearances for the Seleção.

Awards and Achievements

Personal Life

Cafu is known for his philanthropic work. He established the Cafu Foundation in 2005, which aims to provide opportunities for underprivileged children in Brazil. The foundation has built schools and sports facilities, provided scholarships, and offered support to children and families in need.

In addition to his philanthropic work, Cafu has also been involved in business ventures, including launching his own clothing line and opening a chain of sports bars in Brazil.

Net Worth

As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Family

Cafu was born to his father, Cleusa, who worked for the local authority, and his mother, Celio, who was a maid in a wealthy household.

WifeCafu has been married to his wife, Regina Feliciano, since 1991. The couple has three children together, two sons named Danilo and Wellington, and a daughter named Michelle.

Houses

He owns a luxury home in São Paulo, Brazil, where he has lived with his family for many years. The house reportedly includes a large swimming pool, a fitness center, and a cinema room.

Cafu has also been involved in real estate development projects in Brazil, including the construction of luxury apartments and a hotel in São Paulo. In addition, he has launched a line of high-end real estate products, including luxury apartments and villas.