Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a sensational performance helped his side secure a shock 0–0 draw against Spain on Monday.
The 40-year-old shot-stopper, Josimar José Évora Dias, produced a string of brilliant saves—seven in total—to frustrate one of the tournament favourites and secure a historic result for World Cup debutants Cabo Verde.
His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and immediate global attention, with praise pouring in from fans and pundits worldwide.
Off the pitch, Vozinha’s popularity surged dramatically as his social media following reportedly jumped from about 46,000 to several million within hours of the final whistle, with the number climbing to around 5.7 million at the time of reporting.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Vozinha described the moment as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“I worked all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream,” he said. “For me, it’s an honour to represent the country I love.”
He added that his journey to the top had been far from easy, noting that he only became a professional footballer at the age of 25.
“I am 40 now, but I was not a professional up until I was 25. This is a reward for all this journey,” he said.
Spain dominated possession and registered 27 attempts on goal but were repeatedly denied by the veteran goalkeeper and a disciplined Cabo Verde defence.
The result handed Cabo Verde their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup and instantly elevated Vozinha into one of the tournament’s most talked-about figures.
