YOGYAKARTA - The new name immediately caught the attention at the 2026 World Cup. Vozinha's profile suddenly became popular after his extraordinary performance in Spain's onslaught in Group H which ended 0-0.
What makes the public more amazed, Vozinha is not a young player who is looking for a name. The Cape Verdean goalkeeper is 40 years old, an age that for many players means retirement. But under the goalposts, he appears as if he doesn't know time.
Profile of Vozinha, Veteran Goalkeeper Behind the Cape Verdean Wall
Meaning of the Name VozinhaVozinha is actually not his real name. His full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, and the nickname Vozinha was given by his grandparents since childhood. In Portuguese, the word means "little grandmother" which is also a nickname that is attached to his jersey for life.
He was born and raised in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde. Because his father was in the military and his mother was busy working, Vozinha spent most of his childhood with his grandparents. It was that bond that made his tears uncontrollable after the match against Spain ended.
Vozinha's appearance against Spain at the 2026 World CupThe Group H match between Spain and Cape Verde at the Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 was actually one-way. Cape Verde was almost the whole game under pressure in its own third, while La Furia Roja continued to launch an onslaught.
However, Vozinha seemed to build an invisible wall in front of his goal. He was heroic with a series of crucial saves at the end of the first half by thwarting Ferran Torres, Pedri, and Aymeric Laporte's golden opportunities. As a result, Spain returned home without a goal and Vozinha was named the best player of the match.
Vozinha's Career Journey in the World of FootballVozinha's career can be called a long nomadic journey across the continent. He started his career in his hometown with Batuque FC, then moved to CS Mindelense before moving far away from Cape Verde.
From Angola with Progresso, Vozinha explored Europe from Zimbru Chisinau in Moldova, AEL Limassol in Cyprus, AS Trencin in Slovakia, to Gil Vicente in Portugal. Now he is strengthening Chaves in the second Portuguese League. The 2026 World Cup is the biggest stage he has ever stepped on.
Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup is a surprise from West AfricaCape Verde is not a big name on the world football map. This West African archipelago is even listed as the third smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup. This is an extraordinary achievement that should be appreciated.
In Group H, they stood on par with Spain as European champions. A 0-0 draw was not just a point in this match, it conveyed the message that even a small team can stand tall on the world's biggest stage, especially when there is Vozinha under the net.
Why Can Vozinha Shine at the Age of 40?Physically, the age of 40 is usually the limit for a professional goalkeeper. But Vozinha proved that the experience of playing in various countries and competitions for decades formed a maturity that time cannot buy.
In addition, there is also an equally strong emotional factor. Vozinha plays with a burden and motivation starting from his grandparents who are gone, and his mother who cannot be present due to visa problems.
In the end, Vozinha cried not because she was relieved, but because her whole life seemed to be represented in one match.
Vozinha is now global.Within hours of the final whistle, Vozinha's Instagram following skyrocketed from around 500,000 to almost 5 million. The football world instantly fell in love with her.
French star Paul Pogba also reacted on social media, praising the goalkeeper's performance with admiration. Vozinha, who has spent his career away from the spotlight, is now standing under the spotlight of the world.
Vozinha's performance at the 2026 World Cup is a story worth remembering for all time. Follow the development of Vozinha's profile and other 2026 World Cup news only on VOI, your trusted source of sports and international news.
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