Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper arrived as an unknown but left as one of the tournament’s biggest stories, with his career transformed.
Remember that World Cup goalkeeper that stole the hearts? Everyone’s gone crazy for Vozinha
Josimar José Évora Dias, better known as Vozinha, has become one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup. The veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper arrived at the tournament after a modest career spanning Cape Verde, Angola, Portugal, Romania and Cyprus. He leaves as the goalkeeper with the largest Instagram following in world soccer – 28.3 million followers, ahead of Thibaut Courtois, Manuel Neuer and legendary Spain keeper Iker Casillas.
Why has Vozinha’s value increased so much?
The Mindelo-born shot-stopper has seen his popularity explode since the tournament. His rise was underlined when FIFA invited him to play in its legends game before the World Cup final alongside stars including Cafu, Javier Zanetti, Davor Suker and David Trezeguet. He was also voted into the tournament XI.
His success has also been reflected in the transfer market. Following the World Cup, Transfermarkt increased Vozinha’s estimated market value by 900% – the biggest percentage rise of any player after the tournament. His valuation jumped from approximately $58,000 to around $581,000.
The dramatic increase follows a series of standout performances that few predicted before the competition began. Vozinha first captured global attention against Spain, producing several outstanding saves to help Cape Verde earn a historic draw in the nation’s World Cup debut. He followed that display with another impressive performance against Saudi Arabia as Cape Verde secured a place in the knockout rounds.
His finest display came against Argentina. Once again, a string of crucial saves left the eventual finalists on the brink of elimination before Argentina escaped with a dramatic 3-2 victory, ending one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament.
Is Vozinha currently without a club?
Yes! Despite his newfound fame, Vozinha remains without a club, at the time of writing.
“I hope I’ll find a destination soon and can keep playing football. There’s no rush. There are plenty of rumors, but nothing concrete,” he said when asked about his future.
After a World Cup that transformed both his reputation and market value, clubs around the world are now paying close attention.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.