Marcelinho

After four unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaigns, Bulgaria are hoping that the goals and invention of a thirtysomething midfielder from Brazil’s Amazonian region will help put an end to their prolonged spell in the wilderness.

Now in his sixth season with Ludogorets, he finally became eligible for the Balkan nation last spring, and since joining up with Ivaylo Petev’s squad he has proved quite a lucky charm, scoring the only goal of the game on his debut against Portugal and heading home in the 4-3 win over Luxembourg.

Once an under-employed young professional at Sao Paulo, he says his dream is to one day return to the Morumbi stadium as a regular starter.