Vozinha, 40, the unexpected hero and new viral sensation for Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde's unexpected World Cup hero, 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar Dias, known as Vozinha, captured global attention with a stellar performance against Spain. His seven saves, including crucial stops against Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal, and Laporte, earned him the Man of the Match award in Cabo Verde's historic World Cup debut, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Vozinha's unlikely rise to prominence is underscored by his current status as a free agent, having ended his contract with Portuguese second-division club Chaves. His market value is listed at a mere 50,000 euros, placing him among the less valuable players in the tournament. This contrasts sharply with his explosive growth on social media, where his follower count surged from just over 200,000 to nearly 2 million on Instagram immediately following the match.

His journey to this moment has been unconventional. Born in Mindelo, Cabo Verde, Vozinha's career has taken him through Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus, and Slovakia. He debuted for the national team in 2012, and his 89th cap became his most celebrated, especially against a favored opponent like Spain.

Despite the accolades, Vozinha remains without a club for the upcoming season. His performance, however, has undeniably placed him on the map, turning him into a viral sensation and a symbol of resilience and unexpected success on the world stage.

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We worked hard to achieve this. We knew we were playing against one of the best national teams in the world, but we also know our quality. We are very happy.