Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says World Cup fame has cost him his peace

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says he would choose his old life after the 2026 FIFA World Cup turned him from a relatively private figure into a celebrity recognised almost everywhere he goes.

The 40-year-old became one of the tournament’s unexpected stars in June when his outstanding saves helped Cape Verde hold eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw on their World Cup debut.

That result secured Cape Verde’s first-ever point at the finals, while Vozinha quickly became one of the competition’s most discussed goalkeepers. His social media following also grew rapidly as his performances attracted worldwide attention.

Cape Verde continued their historic campaign by taking Argentina to extra time in the round of 32. The holders eventually won 3-2, with Lionel Messi and his team surviving a major scare.

However, Vozinha says the attention that followed has come at the cost of his privacy.

“I’ve lost my peace,” he said, while indicating that he would prefer the quieter life he had before the tournament.

The scale of the change has been particularly striking because Vozinha entered the World Cup without a club. His contract with Portuguese second-tier side Chaves had expired, leaving him preparing for the next stage of his career before he became one of the main faces of Cape Verde’s landmark campaign.

Fame reaches Vozinha’s family

The goalkeeper’s new profile has also affected his family. His mother became part of the World Cup story after Vozinha revealed that she was unable to afford the visa fee needed to watch his historic debut.

US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries later announced that the fee had been waived. Even after the tournament, however, the attention continued.

Vozinha said fans now visit his mother every day in the hope of speaking to him or taking photographs with him. He added that the experience had changed his understanding of what it means to become famous.

Despite his unease with the publicity, Vozinha’s displays brought recognition well beyond Cape Verde. He became a Ballon d’Or nominee after a tournament that elevated his reputation internationally.

The achievement adds another significant chapter to a career that has taken him through club football in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and Portugal. Vozinha has nevertheless rejected the suggestion that Cape Verde’s progress was achieved because of him alone.

He believes the team’s success could have an importance beyond football if the momentum created by the World Cup is used effectively.

Move to Colo Colo

The goalkeeper’s performances also helped revive his club career. After arriving at the World Cup as a free agent following the end of his Chaves contract, he has now joined Chilean club Colo Colo, according to president Anibal Mosa.

The move gives the 40-year-old an opportunity to continue playing after a World Cup that transformed his profile around the world.

Cape Verde have also secured their place in football history. With a population of around 525,000, the West African island nation became the second-smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup finals.