KOENIGSTEIN, Germany _ Brazil veteran defender Cafu turned 36 on
Wednesday, thrilled with the opportunity to be playing in his fourth World Cup.
"This is not for everybody, is it?" Cafu said. "I think it's wonderful to
turn 36 in this situation, knowing that I'm in condition to play in a fourth
World Cup at this age."
The AC Milan player won't be the oldest player to participate in a World Cup,
but he will enter the tournament with the chance to break several other records.
He can become the first man to play in four consecutive finals, and the only
captain to lift the trophy twice.
If Cafu plays in three matches in Germany, which is likely as the team's
indisputable starter, he will break the national record of 18 World Cup games,
held by Dunga and Taffarel.
With 13 victories, Cafu has already won more World Cup matches than any other
Brazilian, and has played a record 146 games for his country. He has lost only
19 of those matches.
Cafu's teammates had planned a party for him at the team's hotel this
morning, but plans were postponed for later in the day because the team's
nutritionist wouldn't allow cake before practice.
Cafu said he regretted not being able to be with his family for the birthday,
but "it's part of the job, I'm still happy to be here today."
"Cafu is my professor," 33-year-old teammate Roberto Carlos said. "We've been
together in the national team for several years ... we'll try to reach the final
and help him make history."
Cafu was on Brazil's team that won the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
He was captain when Brazil was runner-up to France in 1998, and in the winning
campaign of 2002 in South Korea and Japan.
Cafu has admitted he still feels a little nervous playing in the World Cup,
and recently said the thought of lifting the trophy for the second straight time
has already gone through his mind.
