Vozinha, a 40-year-old goalkeeper, emerged as a breakout figure after Cape Verde’s opening World Cup match against Spain, according to ESPN. He has spent the back end of a 19-year career that includes at least 200 club appearances and a single trophy, the 2018-19 Cypriot Cup with AEL Limassol, and has represented Cape Verde since 2012.
Facing Spain in Atlanta on Monday, Vozinha dealt with 27 shots, making seven saves and earning man of the match honors, ESPN reported. He left the field in tears at the final whistle and saw his Instagram following surge from about 56,000 to roughly 5 million, becoming one of the early human-interest stories of the tournament.
Born in Mindelo, Cape Verde, Vozinha — a nickname meaning “Little Granny” — initially drew his name after a failed attempt by his father to register him as Valdano, the Argentine striker, he told ESPN Brasil. He turned professional at 25 and made his debut for local side Batuque before a journeyman career that has taken him through clubs in Cape Verde, Portugal, Angola (Progresso), Moldova (Zimbru), Portugal again (Gil Vicente), Cyprus (AEL Limassol) and Slovakia (AS Trencin).
Vozinha has spent the past two years with Chaves in Portugal’s second division, where he was in and out of the squad, according to ESPN. His international form has been stronger: he recorded seven clean sheets in 10 World Cup qualifying matches and conceded eight goals, four of which came in a single game against Cameroon.
After the Spain match, Cape Verde manager Bubista said Vozinha “was overwhelmed with emotion,” ESPN reported. Vozinha told ESPN Brasil he cried in part because his grandparents, who raised him, have died and because his mother was unable to attend the game due to visa costs. “I have worked my whole life for this moment,” he added, calling the result a milestone for the team in its first World Cup.
