Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who became one of the sensations of the 2026 World Cup, is now a free agent and searching for a new club. In an interview with Brazilian journalist Daniel Braune, Vozinha confirmed that his contract with Portuguese second-division side Chaves has ended, and he is open to all possibilities, including a move to Brazil.
World Cup Stardom and Social Media Surge
Vozinha shot to global fame after a standout performance in Cape Verde's 0-0 draw with European champion Spain on June 15. He then helped his team secure a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, a South American powerhouse. His heroics caught the attention of fans worldwide, particularly in Brazil, where influencer Casimiro Miguel (Cazé) promoted his Instagram account, skyrocketing his followers from about 50,000 to nearly 16 million.
“I ended my contract with my previous club, Deportivo Chaves, and at the moment I still don’t have anything,” Vozinha told Braune. “I’m open to everything. Let’s see what comes up.” When asked about playing in Brazil, he smiled and said, “It would be good. We’ll see.”
Dream of Advancing in the World Cup
Vozinha expressed a strong desire to visit Brazil, at least to thank the fans for their support. He recalled spending time in Brazil when his former Angolan club, Progresso do Sambizanga, held preseason there. His goalkeeping idols include Belgian Michel Preud'homme, Dutchman Edwin van der Sar, and Italian Gianluigi Buffon.
Currently, Vozinha's immediate focus is on helping Cape Verde reach the round of 32 in their debut World Cup. A win against Saudi Arabia on Friday in Houston would secure that historic milestone. “My dream, and the dream of all Cape Verdeans, is to reach the next round,” he said. “It’s huge just to be in the World Cup, and to advance when no one thought that we could even get a point, would be extraordinary.”
