Josimar José Évora Dias, popularly known as Vozinha, is a professional Cape Verdean footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Born on June 3, 1986, in the port city of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde.

Vozinha became a national icon and one of the most heartwarming stories of international football. At 40 years old, he cemented his legacy on the global stage with a legendary performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He was born during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Inspired by Argentina’s title-winning campaign, his father tried to name him Valdano after forward Jorge Valdano. However, Cape Verdean registry authorities rejected the name; he was instead named Josimar, honoring the legendary Brazilian full-back who also shone at that same World Cup. Raised by his grandparents while his parents worked, young Josimar used to play street football with older boys. Whenever he took rough knocks and went home crying, the neighborhood boys teased him that he was running to complain to his grandmother—“vozinha” in Portuguese. The nickname stuck for life.

Vozinha’s path to professional football was gradual and required immense perseverance. In his early youth, despite being highly talented, he was frequently overlooked by local selectors because of his short stature. A late teenage growth spurt eventually saw him reach 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in), paving his way forward.

Vozinha didn’t secure a major professional contract until he was 25. His career has been that of a true footballing journeyman, taking him across multiple countries and leagues.

He began locally in Cape Verde with Batuque and Mindelense. In 2012, he signed for Progresso do Sambizanga in Angola. Because the squad already had a goalkeeper named Josimar, he decided to permanently wear “Vozinha” on his jersey, introducing his childhood moniker to the professional world.

He later played for Zimbru Chișinău (Moldova), AEL Limassol (Cyprus), and Trenčín (Slovakia), before making his way to Portuguese club football with GD Chaves.

International Career & 2026 World Cup: Vozinha made his debut for Cape Verde in 2012 and has since earned over 80 caps, making him one of the most capped players in the nation’s history.

He represented the “Blue Sharks” at four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments (2013, 2015, 2021, 2023). However, his crowning achievement came at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Cape Verde qualified for the first time in history.

The Record: At 40 years old, he became the oldest player to feature in a nation’s first-ever World Cup match.

The Spain Masterclass: On June 15, 2026, Cape Verde faced European champions Spain in Atlanta. Vozinha put on a historic, 7-save masterclass to hold Spain to a 0-0 draw, securing Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup point and earning Player of the Match honors.

Going Viral: Following his heroic performance, his social media presence exploded globally. His Instagram following famously rocketed from roughly 50,000 to over 3 million overnight as fans rallied to celebrate the veteran keeper.

Following the historic draw against Spain, an emotional Vozinha wept on the pitch. In post-match interviews, he dedicated the moment to his late grandparents who raised him.

He also touched hearts globally by revealing that his mother could not attend the match because the family could not afford the costly and time-consuming US visa process in time.

His journey stands as a powerful testament to patience, family devotion, and the unpredictable magic of the World Cup.