Cape Verde's goalkeeper has gained a whopping six million followers on social media following his performance against Spain in the World Cup. Vozinha, 40, produced an incredible display in Monday's 0-0 draw in Atlanta against the Euro 2024 champions.
Cape Verde, which consists of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa, is the third smallest country by population to qualify for a World Cup, with around 500,000 people living there. However, playing against one of the favourites to win the tournament, Vozinha made seven crucial saves, becoming the oldest goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep a clean sheet on his tournament debut.
There is also only one other goalkeeper older than 40 to have made more saves in a World Cup match, which was Pat Jennings with 10 for Northern Ireland against Brazil in 1986. Now, Vozinha has gone viral on social media and seen his following on Instagram skyrocket from 50,000 to over six million.
Speaking to the Men in Blazers podcast, Vozinha said: 'That is insane, I didn't expect that. The numbers had swelled to 1.1 million at full-time, and by 11am on Tuesday morning UK time had surged to 6.3 million. Things run fast on Instagram, but I didn't believe it. I still don't believe, but it is what it is. Thank you to everyone. The World Cup is the big stage in the whole of football and it is every kid's dream to be here one day. When we inspire the next generation it is always good. To hear kids say one day they want to be Vozinha, I am very grateful.'
Only five England players in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad have more followers on the platform – including Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
This comes after it was revealed today that an England star has withdrawn from the World Cup squad. Tino Livramento has been ruled out of England's campaign through injury and has been replaced in Tuchel's squad by Trevoh Chalobah. Livramento suffered a calf injury during Sunday's training session with England as they prepared for their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday. Chelsea defender Chalobah, who was on England's standby list in the event of injury, has now been brought into Tuchel's squad.
A statement from the Football Association on Tuesday read: 'Trevoh Chalobah has been called into England's 26-player squad at FIFA World Cup 2026 after injury sadly forced the withdrawal of Tino Livramento.' Cape Verde, meanwhile, return to action against Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.
