Vozinha regrets fame after Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup

Vozinha says his rise to international fame has cost him the privacy and calm he once enjoyed. The Cape Verde goalkeeper now faces requests for photographs and autographs, and is often filmed when he goes out, making ordinary activities such as eating at a restaurant more difficult.

His profile changed on 15 June in Atlanta, where the 40-year-old produced a series of saves as Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Spain in the World Cup group stage. Spain later won the tournament. Vozinha’s Instagram following grew from 56,000 to one million in a single evening, while he was still playing for Portuguese second-tier club Chaves. He now represents Chilean side Colo-Colo.

Cape Verde were eliminated by Argentina in the last 16 after extra time, losing 3-2, but Vozinha’s performances brought further recognition. He has 93 international caps and is among the 10 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or goalkeeper award, to be presented in London next month. Despite that recognition, he says he would prefer his former, less public life.

The attention has also reached his family home in Cape Verde, where his mother receives fans almost daily. His father has withdrawn from the excitement surrounding the goalkeeper. Vozinha has received approaches from sponsors but accepted only one World Cup-related partnership, with UFL Mobile. He has ruled out brands connected to tobacco, alcohol and betting.