Josimar Dias, wey plenty people sabi as Vozinha, na goalkeeper for Cabo Verde. He blow for World Cup after CazéTV campaign. He tok say he prefer anonymous life before Mundial. Currently he dey defend Colo-Colo for Chile. He say he lose peace and privacy after fame.
Fame explode during Copa do Mundo after CazéTV promote mutirão to increase him followers. Initiative make am get fans across countries and reach 28 million followers for Instagram. He tell The Observer say: ‘I don lose my peace and quiet. I no get privacy again, or e don reduce well well. If I comot go restaurant, person go wan take photo or ask autograph. Or worse, person dey film me. Na dis change my life pass, and I think nothing I fit do about am.’
Repercussion start after Vozinha performance in Cabo Verde draw with Espanha. Espanha later win world title next month. Goalkeeper tok say he only understand him popularity when CazéTV journalist approach am for mixed zone. ‘Later, I go do some interview for mixed zone, one CazéTV journalist ask me if I know wetin dey happen. She show me phone, na there I see say I get more than one million followers. I decide deactivate Instagram notifications so I no go dey tempted check who follow me.’
Despite huge repercussion, Vozinha tok say he never adapt to assédio from fame. Discreet and shy, he say he go choose old routine if he fit get life before Copa. ‘Plenty people wan famous, but dem only see positive side. To be honest, if dem offer me life I get today or life I get before, I go choose before.’
Besides social media explosion, dem nominate Vozinha for best goalkeeper award Bola de Ouro. Cabo Verdean tok say he never expect to appear among contenders. ‘I never imagine this fit happen. E impossible, but I grateful to all who think about me. Just to dey this list na big honour.’
But after glory, reality change. Few weeks after World Cup 2026, Vozinha face hard period wey fit threaten him future for club and national team. At 40, he become one of big highlights. He lead Cabo Verde first participation and help Tubarão Azul reach phase of 32. He make decisive saves against strong teams. Most memorable na force Espanha, current champion, to 0-0 draw after defending many chances.
After him contract with Chaves for Portugal second division end, Vozinha become free agent. Him name link with many clubs, including Inter Miami and Sérvia Barcaña, before he finally sign for Colo-Colo, Chile, contract until December. Him shine for Mundial no be temporary: e put him name for list of ten candidates for Yashin award best goalkeeper of season.
Vozinha start Colo-Colo as reserve behind young Gabriel Maurieira, 19, until he recover fitness and get first chance against Unión Española for Copa do Chile in August. Match end 3-0 win for him team. After that, he become starting goalkeeper for league, but he no maintain the ideal image from Mundial. After clean sheet against Huachipato for 0-0 draw, he make decisive error against Deportes Concepción for 1-1 draw on September 13, when he fail clear corner ball, and e reach Norman Rodríguez, author of him team goal.
Still, coach Fernando Ortiz quick defend am, say goalkeeper no undergo real tests during match and judging am for this stage premature. But Vozinha errors no stop for club; e extend to Cabo Verde national team. Cape Verde lose to Mali 3-1 at start of group wey also get Ruanda and Libéria, after experienced goalkeeper cause Mali third goal with wrong attempt to clear ball, Dorgeles Nene take advantage score.
Defeat come for delicate moment for Cabo Verde, wey dey try compensate disappointment from Copa Africana de Nações 2025 and need quick reaction against Ruanda on Tuesday to correct direction. Vozinha crisis no limit to technical errors. He face complicated situation about future for Colo-Colo. Him current contract go until December, with clause wey allow automatic renewal for one more year, but activation depend on him participation in 50% of team matches since he arrive. After he only play three matches out of nine he fit play, margin of error become very narrow, especially because Colo-Colo play games during FIFA date. So, few weeks after him stock rise after historic Mundial, Vozinha face different test. Challenge no be to prove say he fit shine against world big teams again, but to keep him starting spot and guarantee him future for club.
