ATLANTA — As a boy developing in Cape Verde, Josimar Dias possessed such a profound passion for football that he would participate in games with older youths, despite their consistent mockery and harassment. These older players would often physically intimidate him, pushing him and striking him, to which he would retaliate in the least effective manner: threatening to report their actions to his grandparents. Unsurprisingly, this led them to nickname him “Vozinha,” which translates to “granny” in the Portuguese language.
However, Josimar eventually overcame his distress and, subsequently, chose to embrace the moniker for himself. Presently, no one finds “little Vozinha” to be a laughing matter.
Vozinha, serving as goalkeeper for the Cape Verde national squad during their inaugural World Cup appearance, recently delivered one of the most memorable displays in the tournament’s annals: achieving a shutout against Spain, a team widely considered a frontrunner, in an astonishing goalless deadlock. He accomplished this feat at forty years old, competing against athletes half his chronological age.
“We have diligently prepared for this particular occasion, for an evening of this nature,” Vozinha conveyed in Portuguese following the game. “I am four decades old; as is common knowledge, I began my professional career in 2012. That is rather delayed for an individual such as myself. I contemplated withdrawing from the national squad, yet I persevered due to this aspiration.”
Cape Verde’s Vozinha makes a save to keep the score level against Spain.
(REUTERS / REUTERS)
One might encapsulate Vozinha’s exceptional skill—and Spain’s palpable exasperation—within a single, quick five-second sequence involving two attempts late in the initial half. During one of their numerous offensive pushes, the Spanish team had Vozinha encircled, making an imminent goal seem unavoidable. Marc Cucurella of Spain penetrated the Cape Verdean defensive line and headed a pass backward to Ferran Torres, who had an unobstructed opportunity at the net. Nevertheless, Vozinha plunged directly towards the ball, a move sufficient to deflect Torres’ attempt so forcefully that it rebounded sharply off the crossbar.
And yet, the story does not conclude there. As the sphere soared aloft and ricocheted back onto the pitch, Vozinha found himself *prostrate, oriented incorrectly, with a fellow player positioned on top of him*. Miraculously, he succeeded in springing to his feet, rotating into proper stance, and deflecting a powerfully struck shot from Mikel Oyarzabal just above the upper part of the crossbar. Indeed, he executed these actions within a mere five seconds. With the World Cup having only recently commenced, we have already witnessed one of the most remarkable instances of athleticism anticipated throughout the entire season.
Subsequent to the conclusion of the contest, and while Cape Verdean supporters adorned in blue apparel celebrated jubilantly in the spectator areas, a visibly moved, evidently fatigued Vozinha exchanged hugs with his fellow players. He received the FIFA Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match trophy, holding it closely throughout interviews as if it were a ball still in active play.
“While I might be recognized as the outstanding player of the game, this honor belongs to every one of my colleagues,” he stated, gently striking the award. “I never considered any of these achievements unattainable, and I will persist in my efforts for the realization of this aspiration and for the benefit of the populace.”
Within a competition showcasing athletes from the planet’s most prestigious football associations—including the Premier League, La Liga, and others—Vozinha originates from the humble Chaves club, situated within Portugal’s Liga Portugal 2, its second division. His career has seen him represent teams from Angola, Moldova, and Cyprus, alongside Portugal and Cape Verde. He represents a country of such diminutive size that each individual American state surpasses its populace… a country which, despite this fact, succeeded in maintaining parity with Spain.
“The general perception was that our presence here was merely for the enjoyment of the occasion or to partake in a leisure trip during the World Cup, yet that is inaccurate,” Vozinha articulated. “Our objective is to contend and to strive on behalf of our homeland.”
The subsequent engagement: a confrontation with Uruguay scheduled for Sunday in Miami. Progressing beyond the initial group phase remains a challenging prospect, though, similarly, so was preventing Spain from scoring any goals.
“Our most significant advantage—our primary instrument—is our aspiration,” Vozinha declared. “Irrespective of whether a player is newly incorporated or has served the national squad for a decade, the familial manner in which we interact stands as our most valuable resource.”
Cape Verde entered the World Cup harboring optimism. Currently, owing to Vozinha’s contributions, they also possess conviction.
