When the 2026 FIFA World Cup began, few football fans outside Cape Verde knew the name Josimar Dias, but today, the world knows him by his nickname, Vozinha.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper became one of the biggest stories of the tournament after leading World Cup debutants Cape Verde on a remarkable run that ended only after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32.
Vozinha first grabbed the world's attention with a stunning display in a goalless draw against Spain.
He made seven saves, frustrated some of Europe's best attackers and was named Man of the Match.
He later produced another outstanding performance against Lionel Messi and Argentina, making four saves from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner before Cape Verde were finally knocked out.
The veteran goalkeeper's performances earned praise across football.
Lionel Messi told him after the Argentina match, "Great.
"Your people should be proud."
Vozinha later described those words as "incredible," saying he never imagined hearing them from one of the greatest players in history.
The pair also exchanged shirts after the match.
Instagram Explosion
Perhaps the biggest surprise came away from the pitch.
Before the World Cup, Vozinha had about 50,000 Instagram followers.
Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV encouraged viewers to follow him during the Spain match, and his popularity exploded almost overnight.
Within weeks, his account had grown beyond 20 million followers, making him the most-followed goalkeeper on Instagram, ahead of legends such as Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer.
Some reports now place his following at around 25 million.
That rise has also pushed him into the list of Africa's most-followed footballers on Instagram.
While Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi remain far ahead globally, Vozinha now sits among the continent's biggest football personalities online, alongside stars such as Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mané.
New Opportunities Beckon
Vozinha entered the tournament as a free agent after leaving Portuguese club Chaves.
Since then, marketing experts have predicted that major sponsorship opportunities will follow.
He has already begun publishing sponsored posts on social media, while analysts estimate that each promotional post could now be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
There has also been growing speculation that clubs are interested in signing him after his World Cup displays.
However, no club has officially announced an agreement, and Vozinha has not confirmed any new destination.
Praise From Across Football
Football writers and analysts have called Vozinha one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
Bavarian Football Works named him the tournament's best goalkeeper after the Round of 32, praising his "heroic saves" throughout Cape Verde's historic campaign.
Sports agent Leigh Steinberg compared his sudden rise to some of the biggest breakthrough stories in international sport, saying the World Cup had transformed him into a global star.
For Cape Verde, the tournament ended earlier than they hoped. For Vozinha, it may have marked the beginning of an entirely new career, as he leaves the World Cup as one of its most unforgettable faces.
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