{"id":1835,"date":"2026-06-16T05:03:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T05:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=1835"},"modified":"2026-06-16T05:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T05:03:14","slug":"cape-verde-goalie-vozinhas-social-media-following-explodes-after-spain-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=1835","title":{"rendered":"Cape Verde goalie Vozinha’s social media following explodes after Spain draw"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Before Cape Verde began the 2026 World Cup, starting goalie Josimar Dias, better known as Vozinha, had just about 50,000 followers on Instagram.<\/p>\n

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Fast forward a few hours after Cape Verde’s stunning 0-0 draw to upset contenders Spain in Atlanta, Vozinha’s following count has exploded.<\/p>\n

The unlikely man of the match for the game is already over five million followers and counting.<\/p>\n

And that’s the power of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Vozinha, who just turned 40 years old on June 3, has been playing at senior level since 2007. Though he’s never represented an elite-level club, the most known team he’s played for is Portuguese side Gil Vicente. That stint lasted just the 2016-17 season where he made 28 appearances.<\/p>\n

He made his Cape Verde debut in September 2012 in a 2-0 win over Cameroon during AFCON qualifying. He’s been called up for AFCON tournaments, but the World Cup is the highest both he and his country have participated in.<\/p>\n

Vozinha made his mark by keeping a clean sheet against a Spanish side that features stars like Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri, Rodri and more. <\/p>\n

He made seven saves and stood out with his cross claiming and box control, which left Spain frustrated in its pursuit for a goal. <\/p>\n

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\u201cI work all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream,” Vozinha said. \u201cA lot of generations in the past (dreamed of) this day but they did not achieve. And now the dream comes true.\u201d<\/p>\n

The word \u201cvozinha\u201d is Portuguese for \u201clittle grandmother.\u201d He said he was given the nickname by older kids who would beat him on the soccer field and then laugh, saying he was going home to complain to his grandparents. <\/p>\n

Years later, he took on the nickname after a teammate shared the same first name — Josimar — as him.<\/p>\n

Cape Verde will take on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia next in Group H action in its attempt for a shocking knockout-stage qualification.<\/p>\n

The Blue Sharks can do so with more confidence knowing they have their little grandmother protecting the goal.<\/p>\n

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZion Suzuki has become one of the most talked-about goalkeepers at the 2026 World Cup. Born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, the Japan starter has a unique journey that spans three countries and multiple cultures.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n