Cape Verde goalie Vozinha reflects on 'insane' rise to fame during World Cup
· Yahoo Sports
World Cup breakout star Vozinha says the 2026 tournament changed his life.
The 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper and his nation rose to international fame after an incredible World Cup debut. It began with seven unbelievable saves and a 0-0 draw against Spain and ended with a tournament classic with eight incredible saves. Vozinha and Cape Verde also took Lionel Messi and Argentina to the brink of elimination.
Visit bettingx.bond for more information.
During the 2026 tournament, the goalkeeper's head-turning performances helped his Instagram following explode overnight, climbing from roughly 50,000 followers to now more than 29 million. On Thursday, Vozinha − aka Josimar José Évora Dias − caught up with "CBS Mornings" to talk about just how much the World Cup has made a difference in his life and for Cape Verde.
"I'm very grateful and very happy for everything that (has) happened in my life. Of course, I never (expected) that, but it's been like crazy, insane because ... now it's something that I never (expected). For me, it's also, (a) little bit difficult because I (used) to be (unknown)," Vozinha said.
"But in the end, I'm very happy because before we used to say we are from Cabo Verde or Cape Verde, and when you say that everywhere in the world, people say, 'Where is that?' And then just to show our country to the world, we don't need (to say that anymore). It's the best thing that can happen."
With his World Cup journey now complete, Vozinha has a decision to make: hang up his gloves or keep playing into his 40s. The Cape Verde goalkeeper is a free agent.
"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, two years. (See) how my body (feels) and (reacts) because (tomorrow), we never know, but I want to play. And I hope I can find that team that really wants me as a football player ..."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cape Verde goalie Vozinha reflects on 'insane' rise to fame during World Cup