Vozinha, FIFA World Cup hero of Cape Verde, opens up consequences of fame after FWC 2026

Vozinha moved from Portuguese second-tier side Chaves to Chilean club Colo-Colo after the FIFA World Cup 2026. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Vozinha played a crucial role in Cape Verde’s unexpected run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s round of 32, by producing stellar clean sheets against Saudi Arabia and eventual champion Spain.

However, the 40-year-old goalkeeper has said that he has struggled in terms of handling the overwhelming attention that followed his performances in both games.

Cape Verde is an island nation off Africa’s western coast with a population of around 500,000, which made the knockout phase at its first global tournament. The side’s journey ended with a 3-2 defeat to eventual runner-up Argentina.

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Vozinha’s goalkeeping stints also managed to earn him a nomination for the Lev Yashin Trophy which is awarded to the best goalkeeper of the year. The newfound fame post the 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen Vozinha’s Instagram following surge from around 56,000 to a whopping 28 million.

However, things would not be the same since then,“I’ve lost my peace and tranquility. I no longer have any privacy,” Vozinha told Britain’s Observer newspaper.

He went onto say that even an ordinary outing had become difficult, with random strangers constantly approaching him for photographs and autographs.

“I go to a restaurant, and there’s always someone who wants to take a photo with me or asks me for an autograph. Or worse, someone’s filming me... I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it.” he says.

The fans’ attention has even extended to his family in Cape Verde, where avid supporters reportedly visit his mother’s home every day.

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“I’m not there, so I can’t help them,” remarked Vozinha, who moved from Portuguese second-tier side Chaves to Chilean club Colo-Colo in July.

Reflecting on the cost of his sudden celebrity status, he went on to add: “A lot of people want to be famous... but they only see the positive side of that reality. To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the life I had before, I’d choose the one I had before.”