Vózinhia begins challenge with Colo-Colo in Chile

Goalkeeper Vózinhia, 40, has completed a significant career move, joining the renowned Chilean club Colo-Colo. This transfer follows his standout performances at the World Cup, where he gained admiration from fans worldwide. Vózinhia, who spent much of his career with smaller clubs, including a recent stint in Portugal's second division with Chaves, maintained a strong belief in his potential to play for a top-tier team.

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The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues with clubs that are not giants of the game, I always told myself deep down that I am a player worthy of playing for a big club. So when the Colo-Colo offer came, I had no hesitation.

"The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues with clubs that are not giants of the game, I always told myself deep down that I am a player worthy of playing for a big club. So when the Colo-Colo offer came, I had no hesitation," Vózinhia stated at a press conference. The club officially announced his signing on Tuesday, though his arrival was delayed.

Vózinhia confirmed he received other offers but emphasized that Colo-Colo was his first choice from the outset. "From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers, but Colo-Colo was always the priority," he said. A unique regulatory hurdle arose due to Chilean football regulations requiring players to wear their legal surnames on their jerseys. Vózinhia, widely known by his nickname "Vózinhia" (meaning "grandmother" in Portuguese), expressed initial disappointment at the prospect of abandoning it.

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From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers, but Colo-Colo was always the priority.

However, the Chilean Football Federation granted him a special exemption. "It's the name I've used my whole life. In Cape Verde, it holds great importance and a rich history, and now it's known globally too. If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to continue using it until the end of my career in her honor," he explained. Vózinhia arrived in Santiago on Sunday to a warm reception from Colo-Colo fans and began training with his new teammates on Tuesday. He could make his debut as early as next Sunday against league leaders Unión La Calera.

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It's the name I've used my whole life. In Cape Verde, it holds great importance and a rich history, and now it's known globally too. If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to continue using it until the end of my career in her honor.

Reflecting on his career, Vózinhia called the World Cup "the best thing that happened to me in football," but now focuses on his new role. "Being here to represent Colo-Colo, this historic club with a great legacy, is the most prominent milestone in my club career." His World Cup performances against strong teams like Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina significantly boosted his social media following from under 50,000 to nearly 30 million in a few weeks. Selected for FIFA's World Cup Best XI, he aims to leverage this momentum in South America.

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Being here to represent Colo-Colo, this historic club with a great legacy, is the most prominent milestone in my club career.