Vozinha

Vozinha, born Josimar José Évora Dias, is Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper and the breakout figure of the 2026 World Cup. The nickname means "little granny" in Portuguese and has nothing to do with his age. His father was away in the military and his mother worked long hours, so he was raised by his grandparents on the island of São Vicente, and when childhood street games turned rough his friends teased him for "running back to granny." The name stuck for life.

He was a late starter who worked as an electrician and did not sign his first professional contract until he was 26, then built a journeyman career across Portugal, Slovakia, Cyprus and Angola. At the World Cup he was immense: seven saves and a Player-of-the-Match display to hold Spain to a 0-0 draw, then a heroic night against Argentina in the Round of 32, repeatedly denying Lionel Messi before the champions edged a 3-2 win in extra time. His Instagram following exploded from around 50,000 to more than six million, and the free agent has been linked with a move to Inter Miami.