Just a few weeks ago, Vozinha was a free agent wondering where the final chapter of his career would take him. Today, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper is on the verge of joining Chilean giants Colo-Colo after emerging as one of the biggest surprise stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Few players have seen their fortunes change so dramatically over such a short period, especially at an age when most professionals are already thinking about retirement.
A World Cup That Changed Everything
Before the tournament, Vozinha had left Portuguese side Chaves and was without a club. Cape Verde arrived at the World Cup with little expectation of making headlines, but their experienced goalkeeper quickly became one of the tournament's standout performers. His display against Spain attracted worldwide attention despite the narrow defeat, while a string of impressive performances turned him into one of the most talked-about goalkeepers of the competition. By the time Cape Verde's campaign ended, clubs from several countries were reportedly exploring the possibility of signing him.
Colo-Colo Won the Race
Colo-Colo moved quickly and reached an agreement with the veteran goalkeeper, although the deal briefly appeared to be in danger. Moroccan side RS Berkane entered negotiations late after appointing former Cape Verde manager Bubista, who reportedly contacted Vozinha personally in an attempt to convince him to move to Morocco instead. The speculation lasted only a few days before the goalkeeper boarded a flight to Santiago, where he is expected to complete a six-month contract with an option to extend it for another season.
Even His Shirt Became News
The transfer produced an unusual problem before Vozinha had even trained with his new teammates. Chilean regulations generally require players to wear their legal surnames instead of football nicknames, even though the goalkeeper has become globally recognised simply as "Vozinha." Colo-Colo reportedly requested permission for him to keep the name that millions of fans now associate with his World Cup performances, and the request has since been approved. Supporters will therefore see VOZINHA on the back of his shirt rather than his legal surname, Évora Dias.
More Than Just a Transfer
The move to Colo-Colo is only part of how dramatically the World Cup changed Vozinha's career. Before the tournament, he had around 50,000 followers on Instagram. That figure has since grown to well over 17 million, while reports suggest his new contract will become the most lucrative of his career. It is a remarkable turnaround for a player who entered the summer without a club and uncertain about his future. Instead of quietly winding down his career, Vozinha now heads to one of South America's biggest clubs as one of the unexpected faces of the 2026 World Cup — proof that football can still produce stories few would have predicted before the first ball was kicked.
Published by Patrick Jane
03.08.2026