Brazil's Cafu is considered by many as the greatest right-back ever. His name is found in most best XIs of all-time, and his honours include two World Cups, in 1994 and 2002, and a Champions League with AC Milan.
Speaking with Football Italia, the great man came out to bat for England's Trent Alexander-Arnold, who, despite his attacking genius, had been unable to grab a place in Gareth Southgate's World Cup starting XI.
Alexander-Arnold's Premier League goal and assist statistics are by far the best in the league for a full-back, but his much maligned defensive work is often the topic of severe scrutiny.
"I don't understand why," said Cafu. "He has everything: quality, dribbling, pace, but it's always the same story, they say you are not defensive enough and you remain out.
"Somebody used to say the same about Roberto Carlos and me, but I think we won something. Unfortunately, full-backs are too robotic these days, they get the ball, pass it, and run, I don't see movements without the ball and no one-two passes."
Cafu Backs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Brazil legends Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Kaka, and Cafu enjoyed that Casemiro screamer 🇧🇷🙌 pic.twitter.com/I9A0ihri4F
— ESPN (@espn) November 28, 2022
READ HERE: Neville Believes Alexander-Arnold Can Become The Best Right-Back Ever
"I can see the similarities," continued the Brazilian. "He's not afraid to attack, defends well, good passer, hits a great free-kick. He will be a star at the next World Cup.
"He can take the position of right back to another level. I think we've started changing the narrative, the way people view full backs.
"It's not just the goalscorer who should be the best player in the world. It is totally wrong that some great players never won the Ballon d'Or because of their position. Nowadays, full backs should be seen as the main protagonists in the game."
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