Although he spent most of his career with smaller clubs in lower divisions — most recently Chaves in Portugal’s second tier — Vozinha always believed he belonged on a bigger stage.
Key Factors
“The decision was very clear.
Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren’t exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a big club’ player,” Vozinha said at a press conference. “So when Colo-Colo came calling, there was no doubt.”
What It Means
His stellar performances against powerhouses like Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina transformed him into a global sensation, driving his social media following from under 50,000 to nearly 30 million in a matter of weeks. “From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. The goalkeeper acknowledged the prospect of dropping his moniker was frustrating but welcomed the Chilean Football Federation’s decision to grant a special exception. “It is the name I have used my entire life. I hope to keep using it for the rest of my career as a tribute. “Playing in the World Cup comes with immense pressure.
I received many offers, but Colo-Colo was always the priority,” said Josimar Évora Dias, widely known as Vozinha — a nickname that means “granny” in Portuguese. In Cape Verde, it holds great significance and a rich history, and now it does globally as well,” he said. I played against the best national teams in the world, and now I just want to work hard and help this team achieve its goals,” Vozinha said.
“If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud.
