Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper, became a global hero after making seven saves to secure a 0-0 draw against Spain in Cape Verde’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup debut. The veteran vice-captain, real name Josimar José Évora Dias, has earned Man of the Match honors and cemented his status as Cape Verde’s most iconic goalkeeper.
Who Is Vozinha? Cape Verde’s Legendary Veteran Goalkeeper
Vozinha (real name: Josimar José Évora Dias) is the Cape Verde goalkeeper who shocked the world by shutting out Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At 40 years old, he made seven saves to help his nation achieve a famous 0-0 draw against the tournament favorites in their World Cup debut.
The nickname “Vozinha” means “little voice” in Portuguese, given by his grandparents who raised him. He is Cape Verde’s vice-captain and one of the country’s most-capped players.
Vozinha Real Name, Age, and Early Life
Vozinha was born in Cape Verde and raised by his grandparents while his father served in the army and his mother worked long hours. His father named him after Josimar, the Brazilian right-back who starred at the 1986 World Cup.
He began his football journey playing for local clubs FC Batuque and CS Mindelense on the island of São Vicente.
Vozinha Club Career: From Cape Verde to Portugal and Angola
Vozinha’s club career spans multiple countries across Africa, Europe, and Eastern Europe:
His longest and most successful spell was with AEL Limassol in Cyprus, where he logged 116 appearances. He turned professional at age 25 with the Angolan club Progresso, later playing in Moldova, Cyprus, Slovakia, and Portugal.
Vozinha International Career: The Heart of Cape Verde’s National Team
Vozinha made his debut for Cape Verde in 2012 and has accumulated more than 70 international appearances. He is the team’s vice-captain.
Key International Achievements:
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Multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearances
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Cape Verde’s World Cup qualification campaigns
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Helped Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their first-ever World Cup
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Cape Verde’s rise in FIFA rankings
At 39–40 years old, he remained an emotional leader and key figure for the Blue Sharks.
Vozinha at the 2026 World Cup: Memorable Performances and Heroics
Match: Spain 0–0 Cape Verde
Date: June 14, 2026
Location: Atlanta, USA
Award: Man of the Match
Vozinha produced one of the standout performances of the 2026 World Cup:
Spain ranked 65 places above Cape Verde in world rankings, making this a shocking result. Vozinha denied Spain’s star-studded squad, including Lamine Yamal, whose introduction failed to spark La Roja’s attack.
The performance earned him global praise for his composure, reflexes, and command of the penalty area.
Emotional Moment: Vozinha was in tears at full time because his mother couldn’t attend due to visa issues – the visa cost prevented her from seeing his Man of the Match display.
“I work hard all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream. A lot of generations in the past were dreaming of this… And now the dream has come true.” — Vozinha to Fox Sports
Vozinha 2026 Outlook: Future with Cape Verde National Team
Vozinha has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final tournament with the national team. However, he remains a key figure for the Blue Sharks as an emotional leader.
At 40, he is one of the oldest players at the 2026 World Cup but continues performing at an elite level. His longevity places him among the most-capped players in Cape Verdean football history.
VOZINHA, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper, was in tears after drawing against SPAIN.
“I have waited and dreamed for this moment all my life”.
There’s nothing like the World Cup. 🇨🇻❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/8gFBZuaxZp https://t.co/tbMl7WxTrb
— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) June 15, 2026
Vozinha’s Mentality: “I Will Play Until They Tell Me to Stop”
Vozinha’s career philosophy reflects remarkable perseverance:
“I would advise 18-year-old Vozinha to take pride in himself. He worked hard. Honestly, I never envisioned such achievements in my childhood, but after this match, I can assure my younger self that it was all worthwhile.” — Vozinha
His strengths include:
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Exceptional positioning
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Quick reflexes
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Leadership qualities
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Command of the penalty area
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Communication with defenders
Even at 40, his experience allows him to anticipate danger before it develops. His calmness under pressure has been a defining characteristic throughout his career.
Career Statistics:
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70 international appearances for Cape Verde
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Hundreds of club appearances across Portugal and Cyprus
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Multiple clean sheets at the club and international level
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Estimated net worth: $500,000–$1.5 million
FAQ
Q: What is Vozinha’s real name?
A: Josimar José Évora Dias
Q: How old is the Vozinha Cape Verde goalkeeper?
A: 40 years old (born June 3, 1986)
Q: What does Vozinha mean?
A: “Little voice” in Portuguese; nickname given by his grandparents
Q: How many saves did Vozinha make against Spain?
A: 7 saves (all 7 Spain shots on target)
Q: Which club does Vozinha play for in 2026?
A: Chaves in Liga Portugal 2 (Portugal’s second division)
Q: Is Vozinha still playing for Cape Verde?
A: Yes, but the 2026 World Cup is his final tournament with the national team
Q: When did Vozinha debut for Cape Verde?
A: 2012
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Last Updated on June 16, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
