Brazil are renowned for their attacking flair, but they haven’t always been the strongest at the back. However their current side has a rock at the heart of their defence in the shape of the combative Lucio .

A no-nonsense central defender, Brazil’s captain rose to prominence at Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, where he almost helped them to a surprise domestic title and Champions League victory in 2002.

 

Despite leading the league for much of the season, Leverkusen faltered in the latter stages and missed out. Their disappointment was compounded when they lost the Champions League final - a game Lucio scored in - to Real Madrid at Hampden Park.

After being part of the Brazil squad that won the World Cup that summer, Lucio eventually moved to Bayern Munich two years later and won three German titles, before joining Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

These could well be the defender’s peak years. A colossal performance in the Nou Camp against the all-conquering Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals cemented his place among the game’s elite.

There may be plenty of flair players in the Brazil ranks, but few have the same towering influence on a side.