From unknown to unstoppable: How 40-year-old Vozinha became the World’s most-followed goalkeeper

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He walked into the “CBS Mornings” studio as one of the most recognisable faces in world football. Just weeks earlier, few outside his homeland had ever heard his name.

Josimar José Évora Dias—known to the world as Vozinha—sat down with CBS to reflect on a World Cup journey that transformed not only his life but also the global perception of his tiny island nation.

The 40-year-old Cape Verdean goalkeeper emerged from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s most unlikely global stars. His Instagram following exploded from roughly 50,000 before the tournament to more than 29 million today—making him the most-followed goalkeeper in the world, surpassing legends like Iker Casillas (20.4 million), Keylor Navas (19 million), and Thibaut Courtois (18 million).

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‘I Never Expected Any of This’

Speaking to CBS News, Vozinha admitted the attention has been overwhelming.

“I’m very grateful and very happy for everything that happened in my life,” he said. “I never expected any of this. It’s been crazy, insane.”

The veteran shot-stopper revealed that his newfound fame has come at a cost.

“In Cape Verde, we love welcoming people. We can cook outside our homes and eat together in the street. Now I can’t always do that anymore,” he said.

But the sacrifice, he believes, has been worth it—for his country.

“Before, whenever we said we were from Cape Verde, people would ask, ‘Where is that?’ Now they know our country. I think that’s the best thing that could happen.”

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A Tournament That Stopped the Finalists

Cape Verde’s debut World Cup campaign captured the imagination of football fans across the globe. The Blue Sharks—ranked 67th in the world—did not lose a single match in 90 minutes of regulation time.

In their opening group match, Vozinha produced a man-of-the-match performance against Spain, making seven saves from 27 shots to secure a stunning 0-0 draw. He was named FIFA’s Player of the Match. Spain, now World Cup finalists, never conceded a goal against Cape Verde—the only team in the entire tournament to achieve that feat.

Cape Verde followed with gritty draws against Uruguay (2-2) and Saudi Arabia (0-0) to advance to the knockout stage—the first World Cup debutant to do so in 16 years.

In the Round of 32, Vozinha produced arguably the performance of his career against defending champions Argentina, making eight saves—including four stunning stops to deny Lionel Messi. Cape Verde held Argentina to a 1-1 draw through regulation time before falling 3-2 in extra time.

Vozinha finished the tournament with 18 saves, the third-most of any goalkeeper. According to Opta, only England’s Peter Shilton (1990) and Italy’s Dino Zoff (1982) have recorded more saves at a single World Cup after turning 40.

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A Late Start, A Global Stage

Vozinha’s path to stardom was anything but conventional. He did not begin his professional career until the age of 25, playing for clubs across Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus, and Slovakia.

“Since I was a child, I always had the dream of being a professional player. In our country, the chances of making it are minimal,” he told CBS.

Before the World Cup, he was playing in Portugal’s second division for Chaves and remained largely unknown outside his homeland. His contract expired on June 30, leaving him a free agent.

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One or Two More Years—On His Terms

Despite his age, Vozinha insists his passion for the game remains undimmed.

“I love football. To be here at 40 years old, it’s because I really have this passion,” he said. “I want to play at least one or two years, depending on how my body feels.”

Rumours have linked him with Inter Miami and several Brazilian clubs. But Vozinha has a clear message for any suitor.

“I hope I can find a club that wants me because I’m a football player, not because I’m a marketing person.”

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A Legacy Beyond Football

For Vozinha, the World Cup was never just about personal glory.

“There has always been talent in Cape Verde, but players rarely had the opportunity to go to Europe or be seen by bigger clubs,” he said. “Now everybody is watching.”

Cape Verde may have exited the tournament, but they left with something far more valuable: the world now knows exactly where they are.

And at the heart of it all stands a 40-year-old goalkeeper who refused to let age, circumstance, or doubt stand in his way—a man whose name, once unknown, is now spoken in the same breath as the legends he surpassed.

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