Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, better known as Cafu, is a gigantic legend of South American football. Like many other stars, Cafu paraded his talent and magic at the most successful, traditional and glorious national team tournament in the world, the CONMEBOL Copa América.
The historic right-back became a two-time CONMEBOL Copa América champion, making his presence felt alongside several other legendary players who made up the Brazilian team in Bolivia 1997 and Paraguay 1999, such as Ronaldo, Romário, Rivaldo, Taffarel, Ronaldinho, Dunga and Roberto Carlos.
"It meant a lot in my career. I managed to win two titles at the CONMEBOL Copa América, in 1997 and 1999. This is a very important competition, where nobody wants to lose and everyone wants to win. With Brazil I had the opportunity to win it twice. It was a very important tournament for my professional career", said Cafu about winning those titles.
At the 1997 CONMEBOL Copa América in Bolivia, Cafu was present in all three group stage matches, in which Brazil beat Costa Rica 5-0, Mexico 3-2 and Colombia 2-0. He was unable to play in the quarter-finals, when his team beat Paraguay 2-0, but returned for the 7-0 victory over Peru in the semis.
The final match was played against hosts Bolivia. With Cafu in the squad, Brazil won 3-1 to lift the continental title for the fifth time, the first one away from home.
The right-back was one of the key players in the team commanded by coach Mario Zagallo and captained by Dunga. Ronaldo scored five goals and finished as the tournament's top scorer, followed by Romário and Leonardo, with three each.
The next edition of the CONMEBOL Copa América was held in Paraguay, in 1999. Brazil once again dominated the tournament, this time with Cafu wearing the captain's armband.
Cafu did well in the first group stage match, with two assists for Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in the 7-0 thrashing of Venezuela. He was also present in the 2-1 loss to Mexico in the second round, but was on the bench in the 1-0 win against Chile.
He was back on pitch for the quarter-finals, in which Brazil overcame Argentina 2-1, and the 2-0 victory over Mexico in the semifinals.
In the final, Brazil faced Uruguay at Defensores del Chaco stadium, in Asunción. The Brazilians won their sixth CONMEBOL Copa América by beating Uruguay 3-0, with Cafu lifting the trophy as captain.
Cafu is the Brazilian player with the most outings for the national team. In addition, he played in three FIFA World Cup finals, of which he won two, as well as one edition of the FIFA Confederations Cup.
