Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha (Josimar Dias) has become a global sensation, with his Instagram following skyrocketing to millions of followers after a heroic performance against Spain.
Vozinha experienced an overnight surge, exploding from about 50,000 followers to over 9 million on Instagram following his historic performance against Spain.
In less than 24 hours after the game, Vozinha already had nearly 10 million Instagram followers — more than NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama (6.2 million) and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes (6.4 million).
“Crazy, that’s crazy,” Vozinha told Brazilian YouTube channel CazéTV after the match that turned him into the biggest new name of the World Cup so far.
The 40-year-old produced an incredible display in Monday’s 0-0 draw in Atlanta, which saw his online presence surge to 7.6 million by Tuesday afternoon.
This meteoric rise means only five England players in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad – Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice – boast a larger online presence.
“That is insane, I didn’t expect that,” Vozinha told the Men in Blazers podcast of his increased social media following. He further expressed his disbelief, stating: “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.”
Vozinha made seven crucial saves to deny Spain, one of the favourites to win the competition. His masterclass also saw him become the oldest goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep a clean sheet on his tournament debut.
The only goalkeeper over 40 years of age to have made more saves in a World Cup match was Pat Jennings, with 10 for Northern Ireland against Brazil in 1986.
The goalkeeper’s viral fame has highlighted Cape Verde, a nation of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa, which is the third smallest country by population (around 500,000) to qualify for a World Cup.
Vozinha reflected on his impact: “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.”
Vozinha said after the game that his mom was not able to make it to the United States to watch him play because of difficulties getting a visa.
In Washington, the U.S. State Department said it had no record of her ever applying for a visa, but that it was working on resolving the situation with Cape Verde authorities. The department said it had notified all players from World Cup countries affected by the $15,000 visa bond requirement that they and their families would be exempt from posting the bond.
“All relatives of players are eligible for visa bond waivers, and the department is actively reaching out to this player’s family to assist with visa services,” the department said.
