Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, produced a standout performance in his nation’s World Cup opener against Spain, making seven saves as Spain registered 27 shots, and was named man of the match, according to ESPN. The result gave Cape Verde its first ever World Cup point in its tournament debut; Vozinha left the field in tears after the final whistle, ESPN reports.
The display transformed a long, low-profile career. Vozinha woke up Monday as an unheralded veteran of a 19-year career who has played at least 200 matches — though some club appearances are not fully tracked — and has won a single trophy, the 2018-19 Cypriot Cup with AEL Limassol, according to ESPN.
Born in Mindelo, a town of about 70,000, Vozinha said he became a goalkeeper despite early hopes his father had of naming him after Argentine striker Jorge Valdano; his nickname means “Little Granny,” according to ESPN Brasil. He said he turned professional at age 25 and made his debut with local side Batuque. His club path has taken him through teams in Cape Verde, Portugal, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and Slovakia, including stints at Progresso, Zimbru, Gil Vicente, AEL Limassol and AS Trencin. He has spent the past two years with Chaves in Portugal’s second division, where he has been in and out of the lineup, ESPN reports.
Vozinha was also a key figure in qualifying, keeping seven clean sheets in 10 games and conceding eight goals, four of which came in a single match against Cameroon, according to ESPN. In Atlanta on Monday he produced reflex saves and a low denial of Pedri, and younger Spanish talents who entered from the bench were unable to break him down.
The performance prompted a huge social-media reaction: ESPN says his Instagram following leapt from roughly 56,000 to about 14.2 million after the match. Cape Verde manager Bubista described Vozinha as “overwhelmed with emotion,” calling his reaction “a cry of resilience,” according to ESPN Brasil. Vozinha said the moment vindicated years of hard work and was for his teammates and the people of Cape Verde, per ESPN.
