The captain of the penta believes that Ancelotti will make a difference in command of the national team
Last Monday (25), I had the honor of representing the Young Pan on the bench of Roda Viva (TV Cultura). In the spotlight, the last captain of the Brazilian team to lift the cup, 24 years ago, in 2002. Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known as Cafu, will be at the World Cup as a representative of FIFA.
During the interview, I asked him about the fans’ relationship with the national team and he agreed that only good performances on the field can bring back Brazilians’ identification with the national team. He was also asked about the causes of this scenario: lack of results or the political and administrative crisis of the CBF: “(…) I think both factors were fundamental in contributing to this. But what weighed most were the negative results. When bad results happen on the field, it really ends up alienating fans of the Brazilian team a little. (…).”
Despite 24 years without winning a World Cup, Cafu emphasizes that the fans are always looking forward to the team’s performance: “(…) The call-up of the Brazilian team made the Brazilian people and fans once again have hope and joy to support the team, regardless of the problems that the CBF faced. (…).”
The interview at Roda Viva was marked, of course, by numerous questions about Neymar’s call-up. “(…) Ancelotti is a very strategic and very intelligent coach. I worked with him for five years at Milan. He has been studying all the athletes he has called up, including those he has not called up yet, such as Neymar. But Neymar, physically and technically, is a fundamental piece for the Brazilian team”, highlighted Cafu.
The former Brazilian national team defender bets all his chips on the preparation period until the debut against Morocco, on June 13th. Despite the short time, Cafu emphasizes that Neymar will really be tested. He adds that the number 10 is an important piece for the group, if he is able to play.
The penta captain revealed that he has a dream of being a coach, especially at the youth level. Cafu mentioned the social work he carries out in Jardim Irene. The name of the district of Capão Redondo, in the south of São Paulo, became known due to the tribute that the former player paid to the region on the day of the 2002 World Cup final. After winning, he wrote on his shirt: “100% Jardim Irene”.
Cafu is one of the great examples in Brazilian football of an athlete who rose from extreme poverty to become an idol. He is the only player in history to be in three World Cup finals (1994, 1998 and 2002).
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
