Before the World Cup, almost nobody outside Cape Verde had heard of Vozinha. Now, the entire football world knows his name. At 40 years old, the veteran goalkeeper produced one of the most remarkable performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, frustrating Spain with seven saves and helping tournament debutants Cape Verde secure a stunning 0-0 draw. It was the first major shock of the competition — and it happened largely because one man refused to let Spain score.
According to Sofascore, Vozinha earned an incredible 9.7 rating after repeatedly denying the Spanish attack. At times, the experienced goalkeeper even seemed to enjoy himself, briefly releasing the ball in front of onrushing Spanish players as if daring them to challenge him.
For a player nicknamed "Grandma", it was quite the performance.
Yes, you read that correctly. Vozinha — whose real name is Josimar Dias — has carried the unusual nickname since childhood.
"I used to get into fights a lot," he once explained. "Whenever I couldn't get revenge, I'd go home angry and people would laugh and say I'd complain to my grandmother and grandfather."
The nickname stuck. Decades later, "Grandma" has become a national hero.
Born in Mindelo, a city of around 70,000 people on the island of São Vicente, Vozinha spent the early years of his career playing in Cape Verde for local clubs Batuque and Mindelense — teams largely unknown outside the country.
It wasn't until 2012, when he moved to Angola to join Progresso, that he caught the attention of Cape Verde's national team coaches. Later, he briefly returned home before embarking on an unlikely European adventure.
His path through European football was anything but glamorous.
In 2015, shortly before turning 30, Vozinha signed for Moldovan side Zimbru as a free agent. A year later, he moved to Portuguese club Gil Vicente before joining Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol, where he spent five years. He later played for Slovak club Trenčín and, since 2024, has represented Portuguese second-division side Chaves.
Ironically, his club season hardly suggested that World Cup history was around the corner. Vozinha lost his place in the starting lineup at Chaves and featured in just 19 matches, conceding 23 goals while keeping six clean sheets. His contract is set to expire in just a few weeks.
Yet none of that mattered against Spain.
Vozinha has represented Cape Verde since 2012, earning 90 caps, conceding 81 goals and recording 37 clean sheets. He has participated in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and helped the Blue Sharks reach the quarter-finals twice.
Still, nothing compares to what happened in New Jersey.
"I've dreamed about this my whole life," Vozinha admitted after the final whistle. "I've worked throughout my career for moments like these. Today, I was fortunate enough to be here and help the team with my experience. But this result belongs to everyone. We leave the pitch happy with the draw."
Spain dominated possession, completed more than 700 passes and registered numerous attempts on goal. Yet they found no way past Cape Verde's ageless goalkeeper.
World Cups are built on stories like these — unexpected heroes, impossible results and moments that transcend statistics.
At 40 years old, with his contract nearing its end and his career entering its final chapter, Vozinha delivered the performance of a lifetime.
And now, the entire world will remember his name.
Published by Patrick Jane
16.06.2026