Marcos was handed the gloves by Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at the 2002 World Cup and has performed creditably in the Far East.

He lacks the international experience of another rival for the number one jersey, Dida, but has now made the position his own.

He first got the international call in 1999, four years after Dida who was seen as the long-term successor to Claudio Taffarel.

But Marcos has overtaken his rival after finding a rich vein of form last season which he has carried into the finals.