KOLKATA: One of the iconic images from the 2002 World Cup was Brazilian captain Cafu climbing atop the podium at the Yokohama Stadium in Tokyo and hoisting the trophy high up in the air flashing a beaming smile. If that triumph was the zenith of his international career, it also started the gradual decline of Brazil’s reign in the game’s biggest stage, having managed to reach just one semifinal of the following four editions of the competitions since.
However, the legendary full-back — who was described by Alex Ferguson as “a player with two hearts” — believes that Neymar & Co. have it in them to end the drought this time around in Qatar.
“One of the plus points of this Brazilian side is that it no longer relies too much on a particular individual. Yes, four years ago (in Russia), the team heavily depended on Neymar. But this time, we have the likes of Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Lucas Paqueta and Fred. They can change the game on their own. This is a different Brazilian side… no longer relying solely on Neymar,” Cafu, who is on a four-day visit to the city, said on Friday.
The former AC Milan and AS Roma star also believes that the unprecedented winter World Cup in Qatar would actually help the players more than ever.
