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After holding powerhouse Spain to a 0-0 draw in Cape Verde’s 2026 FIFA World Cup debut, 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar Jose Evora Dias, better known as Vozinha, saw his social media following surge from 50,000 to over 5.8 million overnight.
Yet, despite the historic feat, the keeper ended the match in tears because visa constraints and high costs prevented his mother from watching him play in person.
The goalkeeper was named player of the match after making seven saves against the reigning European champions in Cape Verde's first-ever men's World Cup finals game. His display at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium also turned him into one of the tournament's most talked-about names.
Cape Verde, also referred to as the Blue Sharks, opened its Group H campaign by holding tournament favorite Spain to a goalless draw. The result quickly stood out as one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, as the debutants held out against one of Europe's strongest national teams.
Vozinha became the central figure of the match after keeping Spain out throughout the game. Cape Verde fans in the stadium celebrated each save as a major moment, while the goalkeeper was visibly emotional after the final whistle and embraced his teammates on the pitch.
Speaking after the match, Vozinha said Cape Verde's players had worked for years to live through such a moment and described the result as a day of pride for the country.
He explained that his tears were also linked to the absence of his family. Vozinha said he grew up with his grandparents, who died a few years ago, while his mother could not attend the match because of a visa issue and the money required for it.
"I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there. They passed away a few years ago. My mom could not be here either due to a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it. We did not manage to do this in time," he said.
Vozinha, who plays for Portuguese second-division club Chaves, has also played in Cape Verde, Moldova, Slovakia and Cyprus during his career. His World Cup debut came at the age of 40, after a path that did not see him become a professional until he was 25.
He said being named player of the match was an honor and added that representing Cape Verde meant a great deal to him. He described the country's qualification route as difficult and said the team's dream had come true by competing against a side such as Spain.
"We work in life to have moments like this. 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.
The goalkeeper also reflected on his younger self, saying he had never imagined such a moment as a child but could now say that the journey had been worth it.
Cape Verde will next face Uruguay on Sunday before playing Saudi Arabia on June 26. After a landmark opening match, Vozinha's performance is already set to be remembered as one of the defining stories of the team's World Cup debut.
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