Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known worldwide as Cafu, is one of the defining full-backs of modern football. Born on 7 June 1970, his career combined relentless stamina, attacking verve and reliable defensive work, and his match-worn shirts and signed memorabilia are highly prized by collectors. This page, prepared for Walkouts, ties biography and provenance so fans and collectors can understand the context behind each authentic autograph and signed shirt.
Raised in the Jardim Irene neighbourhood of São Paulo, Cafu took an unconventional route into professional football. He spent his youth at academies including Nacional-SP and Portuguesa before breaking into the senior ranks with São Paulo. Under coach Telê Santana he transitioned from midfield to wing-back, a switch that unlocked his capacity to patrol the entire right flank and deliver precise crosses, traits that defined his playing identity.
At club level Cafu rose rapidly. He was part of the São Paulo side that won consecutive Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup titles in the early 1990s, and he was named South American Footballer of the Year in 1994. A brief spell in Spain with Real Zaragoza produced a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup medal in 1995, before he returned to Brazil for short periods with Juventude and Palmeiras. His move to Italy with Roma in 1997 established him among Europe's best, culminating in the 2000-01 Serie A title. A later transfer to AC Milan brought further honours, including the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League and the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.
Internationally Cafu holds a special place in Brazil's history. He is the nation's most capped male player, with 142 appearances, and the only player to have played in three World Cup finals, winning the tournament in 1994 and 2002. He famously captained Brazil to the 2002 title, lifting the World Cup as a symbol of both personal and national achievement. He also helped Brazil to Copa América successes in 1997 and 1999 and was part of the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup winning squad.
On the field Cafu combined speed, tactical intelligence and technical quality. Italian supporters gave him the nickname Il Pendolino for his up-and-down runs along the touchline, and he was comfortable both defending and moving into more advanced positions. Those characteristics make shirts and signed items from his peak seasons particularly resonant for collectors, as they are tied directly to iconic moments and trophies.
For collectors, provenance matters. Certified items such as a signed shirt from his Roma Scudetto season, or an authenticated autograph tied to Brazil's 2002 campaign, carry clear historical connections. Descriptions that cite match, season and competition help verify provenance and support the authenticity of memorabilia, whether that is an authenticated autograph, framed jersey or match-used merchandise.
As a Hall of Famer for both AC Milan and Roma and a member of multiple all-time lists, Cafu's legacy is secure. His playing story, from Jardim Irene to World Cup captain, gives each piece of signed merchandise a narrative that collectors value. For fans seeking authenticated items tied to those stories, Walkouts offers a route to own a certified piece of that legacy.
