Who is Vozinha? Meet Cabo Verde’s viral goalkeeper
Vozinha is a nickname. His story includes a long road to the World Cup debut of his dreams on Monday, which saw Cape Verde hold Spain to an 0-0 draw.
One of the World Cup’s biggest stars is ready for one of the biggest moments of his life.
That’s what Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha said Tuesday, Aug. 4 as he spoke for the first time to the Chilean press after going through his first training session with Colo-Colo.
“The World Cup was the best thing that happened in my life, in terms of football, but it’s in the past,” the 40-year-old said in Spanish still heavily accented by his native Portuguese. “Today, I’m here representing Colo-Colo, a big club with a great history. For me, it’s the best moment of my career at the club level.”
While Colo-Colo is one of South America’s biggest and best-supported clubs, its Instagram following of 2.8 million is dwarfed by that of its new signing, who shot to more than 29.5 million after a World Cup in which he held eventual champion Spain to a clean sheet and made eight saves in an extra-time defeat to eventual runners-up Argentina in the round of 32.
Vozinha previously has played for clubs in Portugal, Cyprus and Slovakia, but Colo-Colo will be the largest club he ever has suited up for in terms of following – and also in terms of pressure from fans to perform well.
The overnight sensation said he will try to do his job in Chile in the same way he did it during his previous stops.
“The World Cup changed not just my life but the life of all of Cabo Verde. There are a lot of positive things, a lot of things that can be less positive, but I’m going keep being the same Vozinha – or Josimar – as always,” he said. “I’m going to keep being myself, keep working and dignifying soccer because it’s something that I love. I love football, so for me soccer will always be in first place, other things coming after. But I think that I’ve always adapted well in all the places and countries I’ve played. I hope to adapt here as quickly as possible.”
The goalkeeper’s real name, Josimar José Évora Dias, was set to appear on his shirt until Colo-Colo won an exemption from the Chilean federation to use the more familiar moniker.
The club hopes his arrival will not only sell many shirts but also help it return to the Copa Libertadores, South America’s version of the Champions League which Colo-Colo won in 1991.
Some fans expressed concern about signing a veteran goalkeeper when 19-year-old Chilean prospect Gabriel Maureira had been earning starting minutes. But club officials say the arrival of Vozinha only will help the young shot-stopper grow, and most fans seem to agree with Vozinha welcomed to Chile by thousands of fans at the airport and set for a presentation this week at the stadium.
“You know the greatness of this club and at every great club, there is always a high level of competition,” sporting director Daniel Moron said Tuesday. “I think the best thing we can do for Gabriel Maureira is bring in people at a high level, who we’re bringing in the case of Vozinha. He’s who player who just stood out in the World Cup a month back, so I think Gabriel will learn a lot from Vozinha.”
Colo-Colo currently sits 12 points clear of rival Universidad de Chile at the top of the table after 17 matches played. Vozinha could make his debut Sunday, Aug. 9 in a road match against Union La Calera or in an Aug. 16 home game against O’Higgins at the 47,000-capacity Estadio Monumental.