Brazilian Soccer Player Cafu has Knee Surgery

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil captain Cafu will return this week from Italy for arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in Rio de Janeiro.

Support your favorite team with official World Cup gear from the Fox Soccer Shop! The 35-year-old AC Milan defender is expected to arrive in Rio on Wednesday and undergo surgery the next day at the Pasteur Hospital, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) said on its Web site on Monday.

Brazil team physician Jose Luis Runco will perform the operation, assisted by Dr. Massimilano Sala of AC Milan, the CBF said.

Cafu injured his knee in practice last week, and an MRI showed ligament damage. He sent the scan to Runco, and the two agreed on surgery.

The veteran wingback, who has played in the past three finals of the World Cup and won the title in 1994 and 2002, is considered a sure starter on the Brazilian squad at this summer's Cup in Germany.

"I'm looking at this positively, because Cafu will have more time to prepare for the Cup," Runco told the CBF.

Veteran coach Mario Zagallo, coordinator of the Brazilian team, said he was confident Cafu would be in top form for the tournament.

"He's our captain, he has played three World Cup finals and he's a very important player," Zagallo told Pele's Web site.

Knee Surgery News