Cape Verde World Cup hero Vozinha facing name-change rules after Colo-Colo move

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, one of the breakout stories of the 2026 World Cup, may be forced to play under a different name when he joins Chilean club Colo-Colo.

The 40-year-old, who rose from relative obscurity to global recognition thanks to his performances at the tournament, has agreed to sign for Colo-Colo on a free transfer after impressing the club with his experience and form on the biggest stage.

However, Chilean league regulations mean the veteran goalkeeper might not be allowed to use the nickname that made him famous, according to a report by Foot Mercato.

Under the rules of the Chilean top flight, players are required to wear their official, registered names on the back of their shirts rather than nicknames or commonly used footballing monikers.

For Vozinha, that would mean taking to the pitch under part of his full legal name, Josemar Jose Evora Dias, instead of the shorter name by which he has become widely known.

Special permission needed to keep nickname

Colo-Colo would need to secure an exemption from the Chilean league authorities if they want the goalkeeper to continue using “Vozinha” on his shirt.

Until such permission is granted, the former Cape Verde international could be obliged to play under an alternative version of his official name, with options including “Evora”, “Dias” or “Evora Dias” on his jersey.

The issue does not affect his registration as a player but relates purely to how his name appears on match kits, in line with domestic competition rules.

Vozinha’s impending move to Colo-Colo marks the next chapter in a late-career surge that saw him transform his reputation during the 2026 World Cup, where his performances in goal drew widespread acclaim and turned him into a national hero in Cape Verde.

The Chilean club, one of South America’s most storied sides, has opted to capitalise on that experience by bringing him in as a free agent following the tournament, impressed by both his shot-stopping and his leadership.

While his role between the posts is clear, the identity he will display on his back remains subject to league approval, leaving Colo-Colo and their new signing waiting to discover under which name he will officially begin his Chilean adventure.