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Wherever you turn in Brazil, it’s not long before you see Cafu staring back at you. One moment, he’s on TV selling insurance. The next, he’s the face of adverts for cars and lubricant oil. Switch channels and there he is flogging milk and crackers.
On the eve of the World Cup, his face is everywhere. When the World Cup trophy arrived in Brazil for a tour of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, it was Cafu who paraded it in front of supporters. He’s one of the World Cup ambassadors in Qatar.
Brazilians cling to the image of Cafu, on top of the podium 20 years ago, the World Cup trophy hoisted into the sky. They cling to what he represents. He represents triumph, a Brazil that wins. Cafu is the last Brazilian to lift the World Cup, the last South American. The only player to feature in three consecutive World Cup finals.
Cafu is one of Brazil's all-time greats after lifting the World Cup as captain in 2002
The Brazilian defender (aloft) lifted the World Cup trophy as national team skipper in 2002
He represents a Brazil team of which they can be proud. For many, the lasting image of the current generation is the 7-1 humiliation by Germany in the semi-finals on home soil at the Mineirao in 2014. Eight years on, the trauma of Belo Horizonte has soaked into daily life.
‘Every day, a new 7-1’ became a common turn of phrase, a retort to something that goes wrong.
Brazil's harrowing 7-1 defeat on home soil in the 2014 World Cup still haunts the nation
Cafu revealed the term '‘Every day, a new 7-1’ became a common turn of phrase after their humiliation against Germany at the 2014 World Cup
Two decades have passed since Brazil’s last triumph under Cafu, the world bewitched by the wizardry of Ronaldo and Rivaldo. And, at last, there’s a feeling that this could be their moment again. Tournament favourites, a squad bursting at the seams with world-class talent in all departments.
‘I think Brazil will win this year,’ says Cafu. ‘This is the strongest group of players since 2002 and the team don’t rely too much on Neymar, like in the past. Brazil are strong in all areas: defence, midfield and attack.
‘Twenty years without winning a World Cup or even without a final appearance is too much for Brazil. I believe this will end in Qatar.
‘Brazil are ahead of every other team. But I think Argentina are very strong as well. They are playing well and Lionel Messi is a genius. France have the same team that won four years ago. These are the three favourites.’
Brazil's current crop of stars touched down in Qatar on Saturday evening ahead of the tournament
Cafu has backed Brazil to lift their first World Cup in 20 years in Qatar this winter
Neymar remains the poster boy of the Brazil side but, this time, there’s a cavalry of household names, many of whom play — or have played — in the Premier League: Ederson, Alisson, Thiago Silva, Fabinho, Casemiro, Raphinha, Anthony, Richarlison, Lucas Paqueta, Fred, Bruno Guimaraes, Alex Telles, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
Those in Brazil say this is a different Neymar too. No longer the immature boy who rolled around at the lightest of touches, a source of mocking and memes instead of marvel and magic.
‘There’s an image about Neymar that I think is false,’ says Cafu. ‘He’s not the same player who fell over easily, trying to get a foul or for his opponent to be yellow carded. He’s more mature and he’s playing really well.
