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90 minutes of fame! Incredible saves earn goalkeeper Vozinha over 10 million followers
17th June, 2026 11:31 AM
Josimar Jose Evora Dias, affectionately known as Vozinha, has become an instant global internet sensation. Before taking the pitch against Spain, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper had a modest 50,000 Instagram followers. Three days after the Blue Sharks’ debut in the World Cup against Spain, on Monday, June 15, 2026, that number stands at a staggering 11.2 million.
The veteran custodian, who plays his club football in the Portuguese second division, literally made a name for himself with a gritty, masterclass performance between the sticks.
Vozinha produced seven crucial saves from 28 Spanish attempts, single-handedly keeping the World Cup debutants in the tie and guiding them to a historic 0-0 draw against the reigning European champions.
Ranked over 60 places below Spain, the tiny island nation secured its first-ever World Cup point, and Vozinha was deservedly named Man of the Match.
Campaign on Brazilian TV
Vozinha’s nickname loosely translates to little grandmother in Portuguese, and it was this linguistic connection that sparked his explosive internet fame.
During the broadcast, CazéTV, a massive Brazilian digital media station, fell in love with the veteran’s heroism and launched an online campaign, passionately urging millions of Brazilian football fans to go and follow him.
The internet responded in droves, handing the keeper over 1.5 million new followers in a matter of hours, a number that has since exploded past the 9 million mark.
An emotional Vozinha was left battling tears after the dramatic final whistle. In his post-match reactions, he acknowledged the overwhelming wave of global support, stating that it was incredible to receive such immense love and support.
With a historic point already in the bag, Cape Verde is looking to build on their dream start. The Blue Sharks now fancy their chances heading into their next group H fixture, where a win would push them to four points and put them on the brink of securing automatic qualification to the knockout stages.
The keeper boasts a unique longevity. He made his debut for the national team 14 years ago and racking up over 80 appearances for the Blue Sharks since then.
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