FIFA.com: Of the three FIFA World Cups you played in, which was your favourite?
Cafu: I enjoyed the 2002 World Cup most of all, no doubt about it. I was the Brazilian national team captain and had a greater responsibility than at previous tournaments.

At USA 94, you came on in the Final for the injured Jorginho. What did that experience mean to you, and did it serve you well at later World Cups?
Of course, replacing a player of Jorginho's calibre wasn't easy, especially as we were playing a World Cup Final against Italy in the United States at the time. It certainly was a very great responsibility, but the most important thing is that we were prepared for that moment. I'd hoped my chance would come one day and, that when it did, I'd be ready for it. And thank God I was.

In footballing terms, do you think that your involvement in that game (1994 Final) at that moment in time proved decisive? Can you recall any particular attacking moves?
No. Nothing specific. A lot of things happened but I can't think of anything specific. Nor can I recall a particular incident just now.

Do you remember anything in particular about that Final in 1998?
What I really remember was when Ronaldo collided with the keeper and went down. That stands out because we were all very concerned about Ronaldo at the time.

In 2002, you received the captain's armband at the last minute because of an injury to Emerson. What did you think when you were notified, and how did you prepare for the role?
I was ready for it. The proof of this lies in the fact that I'd already been Brazil captain before Emerson got the job, so I didn't need any special preparation for that role. I repeat, it was a huge responsibility but I was ready for it, because I'd already captained the Seleção in nearly every qualifying game, and performing that role in qualifying is not easy. Therefore, when the World Cup came around, everything was much easier.

With your experience, you were a guiding light for the younger Brazilian players taking part in the FIFA World Cup for the first time. What was the relationship like between the players in the dressing room, at your training camp and later on the pitch?
The relationship was excellent. They were young players, but with a lot of experience. Moreover, they were all quality individuals who had won titles with their clubs and were playing first-team football, mostly outside Brazil. So, the only thing we had to do was put them at ease, then let them come on the field and play football, which is what they knew how to do best.

Do you think your leadership skills were important after Ronaldinho had been sent off in the 2002 quarter-final against England?
Definitely. Ronaldinho's sending-off came at a very delicate point in the game, but we had already turned the scoreline on its head and we knew that it would be impossible for England to win that match after everything that had happened: the way we turned the game around, the way we scored the goals. From that moment on, every one of us gave that bit extra, and that's how we won the game.

You spoke with Ronaldinho before he took that famous free kick. Were you the one who alerted him to the keeper's position?
The English keeper was always off his line. And of course it was perfect the way he (Ronaldinho) put the ball where he did, and that turned out great for us. Still, he was fortunate enough to place the ball where he did and, the keeper couldn't get there. But there's no doubt that all the credit should go to Ronaldinho.

In the Final against Germany, you all seemed very calm. Was everyone conscious of just what the team were on the verge of achieving?
Yes. I've never seen a Brazil team in a World Cup Final be quite so calm as we were in 2002. We all knew what we had to do. We were aware of everything that was going on around the Seleção, but at the same time, we were feeling really good. We were calm, relaxed and we knew that that game could see Brazil go down in history. That made the team feel a little more relaxed and, as if to prove that, we did indeed manage to make footballing history.

When the game ended, you as captain knew you would be the first to receive the Cup. At that moment, you took a deep breath and made a beautiful declaration of love. How did that come about?
That happened on the spur of the moment. Perhaps I'd heard a voice mentioning Regina and it made me think of her. We've been married for 20 years, she's been with me since the start of my career. So, nothing could have been more fitting than for me to pay tribute to her. I think at that point she was much happier than I. She must have been celebrating much more than I was, because we'd gone through a lot of things together to get there. That's why lifting the Trophy then as a tribute to Regina was thoroughly deserved.

And what about the message "100% Jardim Irene", which was written on your jersey?
The inscription on the shirt was in homage to the neighbourhood where I was born and lived for 22 years. That's the neighbourhood where I was brought up to play football. Everybody saw how I grew up there, together with Regina. So, that was a nice tribute, for everything that they'd been through as well as what they'd taught me. It's a poor neighbourhood, but there are an awful lot of intelligent people there who ought to be helped. So, that tribute helped to make the authorities realise that if they helped them, that neighbourhood could end up producing a lot more 'Cafus'.

What did you feel when you laid hands on the Trophy for the first time in 1994?
It was a great thrill because it was my first World Cup. I didn't know whether I was laughing or crying, if I was emotional or if I was shouting my head off. It's a wonderful feeling! A feeling of having done your duty, having done a good job, and of being a success in life. The moment you're handed the World Cup Trophy is the most joyous feeling in the world.

Did it feel any different when you raised it as captain in 2002, or was it like seeing an old friend again?
Exactly! It really was like meeting an old friend again. It was quite an emotional encounter because I was the captain, which was marvellous.
(He takes hold of the Trophy) I think I'll take it home with me! Beautiful, isn't it? It's really wonderful. I think there's no greater achievement for a player, coach or trainer than to receive this Cup as world champion. It's the pinnacle of your career.

Holding it in your hands now, do you see it as a work of art?
Of course! It's a work of art and only those people involved with football and the Brazilian national team know how valuable it is. I think that in 2002 it ended up in the right hands, those of the Seleção.