At the height of his form, Lucas Vazquez earned the affectionate nickname Cafucas—a playful nod to legendary Brazilian right-back Cafu. The moniker has now reached Cafu himself, who reacted with laughter in an interview with Marca ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, better known as Cafu, is widely regarded as the greatest right-back in football history. Renowned for his defensive solidity and attacking prowess, he starred for clubs such as Roma, Milan and even Real Zaragoza.
On Monday, the 54-year-old Brazilian was among the special guests attending the prestigious Laureus ceremony.
Speaking as part of the Futbol Mas series, Cafu discussed current football affairs in an interview with Marca. One of the standout moments came when he addressed the Cafucas nickname given to Vazquez—a term used both sincerely and in jest. Regardless of the tone, Cafu sees it as an honour.
"I'm glad to know people are inspired by Cafu. They're good people, great players. Lucas Vazquez is a fantastic footballer. I hope he enjoys great success, and that he wins many titles with both his club and the national team. I'm happy to hear he's following in my footsteps. Best of luck, Lucas," said the two-time World Cup winner from 1994 and 2002.
Cafu also commented on Carlo Ancelotti and his potential future with the Brazil national team: "I had the chance to work with Ancelotti for five years at Milan, so I know exactly what he's capable of if he takes charge of the Selecao. He's a great coach, and of course I'd be delighted to see him manage the national side.
"It would be fantastic to see Ancelotti, if that's what the CBF decides. We just have to wait for the officials to determine who'll take the reins of the Canarinha. Hopefully, they make a decision soon."
Turning to Real Madrid, he added: "I have a very high opinion of them. It's still Real Madrid—a feared team, an imposing team. They’ve been knocked out of the Champions League, but they remain a side to be reckoned with. I'm sure they'll come back even stronger next season."
Cafu also expressed his dismay over the racist abuse suffered by Vinicius Jr: "Racism is a matter of education, and we must fight it. People need to be educated so that we can live in a country where everyone is treated equally. And that's exactly what Vinicius is trying to communicate on the pitch, through football."
Finally, he praised Raphinha's outstanding form: "He's deserved the Ballon d'Or for a long time. This year, even more so, for all his numbers and everything he's done—not just in La Liga, but also in the Champions League."