Goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, widely known as Vozinha, reached global prominence during Cape Verde’s historic run at the international tournament in the United States, but the veteran player says the sudden fame cost him his personal peace.
From Obscurity to Millions of Followers
Cape Verde entered the competition as a tournament debutant and surprised opponents by going undefeated through the group stage. The squad secured a 0-0 draw against Spain, followed by a 2-2 result against Uruguay and a 0-0 stalemate with Saudi Arabia to advance. In the first round of the knockout phase, the outsider side pushed Argentina before dropping a 2-3 decision after extra time. Vozinha anchored the defense throughout the matches, keeping clean sheets against major football nations.
Following his performance against Spain, his Instagram following jumped from 56 tisíc to one million users overnight. Despite the massive digital audience, Vozinha told the Observer in a post-tournament interview that he would prefer his old life back.
The Loss of Privacy in Daily Life
The sudden lifestyle shift brought unwanted attention for the Cape Verde international. He noted that public outings no longer offer relaxation, with strangers frequently recording him or requesting photographs and autographs without warning.
Transfer speculation followed the tournament, linking the goalkeeper to potential moves including interest from clubs in the Arabian Peninsula and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Ultimately, Vozinha signed with Chilean top-flight club Colo Colo, where he now plays alongside leading the domestic league standings. He also initially considered international retirement but opted to continue representing his national team.
Impact on Family Back Home in Cape Verde
The fame generated by the national team’s run also affected Vozinha’s family members remaining on the island nation. According to reporting by the Observer, fans frequently gather outside the home of the goalkeeper’s mother, who often struggles to turn visitors away. His father maintains a greater distance from the crowds.
Reflecting on the situation from abroad, Vozinha acknowledged that he cannot directly intervene to manage the visitors at his family’s residence. He noted that they must adapt to the new reality and establish their own boundaries.
Commercial Selectivity and National Pride
Aside from social media growth, the tournament yielded numerous commercial proposals. Vozinha accepted only a single endorsement deal, partnering with the football video game UFL while turning down offers to promote alcohol, tobacco, and betting companies.
He described his role as a national ambassador while reiterating that the success stemmed from collective team effort. Cape Verde recently resumed competitive play in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, suffering a 3-1 defeat away against Mali before hosting Rwanda.
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