Vozinha, the hero: 40 years old, without a club, worth 50,000 euros, and a new social media star
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40 and without a club, was the standout player in Cabo Verde's 0-0 draw with Spain.
- He made seven saves, including three crucial ones, to secure the historic result for his country.
- Vozinha's performance gained him millions of social media followers, contrasting with his low market value.
Josimar Dias โVozinha,โ a 40-year-old goalkeeper currently without a club, emerged as the hero in Cabo Verde's historic 0-0 draw against Spain in the 2026 World Cup. Vozinha made seven saves, thwarting shots from Spanish stars like Ferran Torres and Laporte, to earn the MVP title and secure a crucial point for his nation.
Despite his age and a market value of just 50,000 euros, Vozinha delivered a performance that captured global attention. His seven saves, three of which were particularly impressive, ensured Spain could not break through Cabo Verde's defense. This unexpected result marks a significant moment for Cabo Verde, playing in their first-ever World Cup match.
Vozinha, who has 89 international caps for Cabo Verde, shared his team's joy after the match, stating, โWe worked hard to achieve this. We knew we were playing one of the best teams in the world, but we also know our quality. We are very happy.โ His remarkable performance has led to a surge in his social media following, growing from just over 200,000 to nearly 2 million on Instagram shortly after the game.
Born in Mindelo, Cabo Verde, Vozinha's career has taken him through clubs in Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus, and Slovakia. His journey to the World Cup stage, culminating in this standout performance at 40 years old without a contract for the upcoming season, highlights a unique and inspiring football story.
We worked hard to achieve this. We knew we were playing one of the best teams in the world, but we also know our quality. We are very happy.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.