3 min learnJun 15, 2026 11:55 PM IST
The beginning line-up on Cape Verde’s debut on the FIFA World Cup reads regular till the goalkeeper’s title comes up. It says ‘Vozinha’.
It’s the nickname of the 40-year-old custodian Josimar Jose Evora Dia, which he has used all through his profession. In Portuguese, it means ‘little voice’ (voz that means voice and inha that means little).
The nickname proved to be apt on the most important night time for Cape Verde in soccer because the 40-year-old veteran as he shouted and screamed for the 90 minutes and made seven huge saves to place 2010 World Champions and one of many event favourites Spain at bay.
Vozinha, who was born in Cape Verde, received the nickname due to his grandparents. “The nickname is due to my grandparents. I grew up with them as my father was within the navy and my mom was working,” Vozinha instructed FIFA in an interview.
Whereas the nickname shouldn’t have traveled past his island, when he arrived in Angola to play for Progresso, he determined to maintain the nickname.
“No one in Cape Verde knew me by that title. However I didn’t prefer it at first, it drove me loopy. However after I arrived in Angola, there was one other goalkeeper named Josimar. So I stated, ‘I’m not going to place Josimar II on my shirt.’ And if everybody knew me as Vozinha in Cape Verde, that’s what was going to stay,” he added additional.
Vozinha has been a journeyman for his profession and has performed for 9 golf equipment throughout 5 nations at present plying his commerce on the second division Portuguese membership Chaves.
Story continues under this advert
Rising up on the Sao Vicente, Vozinha was overwhelmed up rather a lot by the older boys however his rebellious nature meant that he stored taking the hits.“In my neighborhood, the boys had been a lot older. And I at all times performed on the street, getting overwhelmed up rather a lot. Effectively, I used to be additionally excellent with my ft, I used to be aggressive and rebellious, I didn’t wish to lose. I took numerous hits,” he instructed FIFA.
On Monday with seven saves towards one of many favourites within the event and maintaining the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal on bay, Vozhina confirmed that he can take a number of hits.