Goalkeeper Vozinha Lives His Best Moment at 40 Years Old

Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha, became one of the revelations of the 2026 World Cup. At 40 years old, the Cape Verde goalkeeper went from being a free agent in Portugal to attracting club interest following his international performances.

The goalkeeper was key in Cape Verde competing against more traditional national teams. His performances against Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, and Argentina placed his name at the center of football conversation. His story represents an unusual case in professional sports. The World Cup gave visibility to a veteran goalkeeper, trained outside major academies and with a career built across several countries.

How Did Vozinha Reach This Moment?

Vozinha was born on June 3, 1986 in Mindelo, Cape Verde. His journey began at Batuque FC, a club in his city, and later continued at CS Mindelense. His professional path was not linear. He played in Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus, and Slovakia before returning to Portuguese football with G.D. Chaves, in the second division.

At AEL Limassol of Cyprus he achieved one of the most important moments of his career. There he won the Cyprus Cup in 2019, before continuing his career at AS Trenčín of Slovakia. With Cape Verde, Vozinha debuted in 2012 and became a reference for the national team. His experience helped consolidate the national team in African competitions and during the qualifying process for the World Cup. Before the tournament, his situation was uncertain. His contract with Chaves ended on June 30, 2026, and the goalkeeper was without a team, despite remaining as his national team’s starter.

What Did Vozinha Do in the World Cup?

Vozinha was one of the standout figures in Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain. His saves prevented goals by the European team and gave his country a historic result in their World Cup debut. The performance was recognized with the award for best player of the match. The goalkeeper demonstrated reflexes, area control, and experience to withstand the attacks of a team considered a favorite.

The goalkeeper played in 4 matches during the tournament. He kept his goal intact against Spain and Saudi Arabia, conceded 2 goals against Uruguay and 3 against Argentina. His statistics show intense participation, although available data on different portals may vary depending on the tournament’s timeframe. Goal recorded 3 matches, 2 clean sheets, and 10 saves in their statistics published during the competition.

Beyond the numbers, Vozinha’s importance was symbolic. Cape Verde, an African archipelago with a reduced population,