Fantástico travels to Cape Verde to learn about goalkeeper Vozinha's journey Josimar José Évora Dias, the 40-year-old goalkeeper known worldwide as Vozinha, has become the great symbol of Cape Verde's historic campaign in the 2026 World Cup. With a career marked by overcoming adversity, Josimar is today a national hero who unites the paradisiacal islands of the African archipelago with Brazil's passion for football.
The goalkeeper's birth name is a direct tribute to the Brazilian right-back who shone for the 1986 National Team: Josimar Higino Pereira. The Brazilian idol, upon learning the story, declared himself "radiant and bursting with joy" with the tribute coming from so far away.
Curiously, the athlete's brother revealed that the name almost was Van Damme, but the preference for the Brazilian star prevailed. Raised on the Island of São Vicente in a family of five siblings, young Josimar had his life shaped by his grandmother, Dona Maria.
As his mother worked outside and his father served in the army, his grandmother was his main reference, which gave rise to the affectionate nickname Vozinha [Grandma]. In his childhood, when he lost games in the streets of Mindelo, it was in her lap that he sought comfort.
READ ALSO: Celebrity at the World Cup, Vozinha even gets a mask in the United States; see Vozinha's professional career took off at Mindelense, a local club where he won the Cape Verde championship in 2011. After shining in his homeland, the goalkeeper moved to European football, accumulating experience in clubs in Portugal and Cyprus.
This background was fundamental for him to reach maturity as the pillar of his national team. Called up at age 40 for Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup, Vozinha proved that age is just a number by "closing the goal" against giants like Spain.
His mother, Ana Candida Évora, described the sensation of seeing her son on the field as an emotion capable of making the "heart jump out of your mouth." "He called us after the match, happy and very excited.
Many people congratulated him. He was very happy, joyful, and deeply moved,” the mother said after the draw against experienced Spain.
Vozinha's impact goes beyond the four lines and inspires thousands of Cape Verdean children who dream of following in his footsteps. Demonstrating generosity, the goalkeeper demanded in his last sponsorship contract the donation of forty gloves for young aspirants in the archipelago.
Young fans highlight that the idol's attention on social media serves as fuel for their own dreams. #Fantástico went to Cape Verde, the land of Vozinha, the sensation goalkeeper of this World Cup! Off the pitch, Vozinha maintains a deep connection with Brazilian culture through music and television.
Passionate about Brazilian soap operas, he also declared himself a fan of singer Ivete Sangalo. The affection is reciprocal: the Brazilian artist has already sent an official invitation for the goalkeeper to attend one of her shows as soon as possible: "I want to see you at one of my shows."
In the Fantástico report, TV Globo showed how Vozinha became the terror of betting pools and a symbol of resistance on the field. More than an athlete, he awakened the hope of an entire country that, even in its debut, already feels like a champion through its hero.
"Regardless of anything, we are already champions," said brother David Évora. For the people of Cape Verde, Vozinha's journey is proof that it is possible to go far with determination. Vozinha Reproduction Fantástico GloboPop: click to see the videos from the Fantástico stage Listen to Fantástico podcasts THIS IS FANTÁSTICO Check out also:.
}
Sign in to comment on this article.
No approved comments yet.