Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold is being tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner.
Two-time World Cup winner Cafu, who lifted domestic titles in his homeland as well as the Champions League during a glittering career, says the Scouser, 21, plays the game with a Samba style.
Cafu told the Mirror: “I think Alexander-Arnold is one of the best in the world, no doubt about it.
“He's a great player – and I would say he has the same characteristics as I did.
“He has got big potential. He is strong and skilful, he really takes the game forward and he's a player who sets up goals for Liverpool .
“So, yes, I can see lots of similarities between him and me when I was playing.
“I would say he's got a Brazilian instinct in the way he plays.
“My advice for him is simple: just keep doing what you have been doing for the last few years.
“Alexander-Arnold shouldn't change his way of playing. Even if he makes mistakes, he should carry on doing what he's doing.
“I think he has what it takes to become a Ballon d'Or winner.
“We have to change this paradigm where the Ballon d'Or is only won by attackers and strikers.
“People have to see that defenders are just as important as attackers."