Position: Defender

Born: 7.6.70

Club: AC Milan

The only player to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals, the ageless right-back will be hoping to make it four in Germany.

Cafu captained the team to glory four years ago in Japan, and he came on as a 22nd minute substitute in the turgid 1994 final when Brazil eventually beat Italy on penalties after a goalless draw.

Between these successes, he played in the 1998 final defeat against France.

Brazil's most capped player – he has donned the yellow and blue no fewer than 141 times – Cafu's overlapping breaks from right-back have made him one of the most attacking and dangerous defenders in the game, both for his country and at club level where he has won the Serie A title with both Roma and AC Milan.

However, his attacking instinct can leave Brazil slightly exposed at the back, especially as the first-choice left-back is the equally attack-minded Roberto Carlos.

This tournament will surely be the 36-year-old's World Cup swansong, and few would bet against him adding a third winner's medal to his already impressive collection.