Vozinha’s Move to Colo Colo Confirmed
Vozinha, the goalkeeper for Cape Verde, is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo. This move follows his notable performances during the recent World Cup. The 40-year-old was without a club after his contract with Portuguese second-division team Chaves concluded, but he garnered significant attention for his play on the international stage.
Anibal Mosa, the president of Colo Colo, confirmed the signing. He stated that Vozinha will travel to Chile in the coming days to complete the standard medical examinations before his official presentation at the Estadio Monumental. Mosa highlighted that the goalkeeper’s World Cup displays demonstrated his deservingness of the transfer, also noting the marketing benefits for Colo Colo.
The club, based in Santiago, currently holds the top position in Liga de Primera, Chile‘s premier football division. While the transfer is still pending finalisation, Colo Colo hinted at the signing on social media by sharing an image featuring Vozinha‘s distinctive curly hair.
World Cup Heroics and Rising Popularity
Vozinha became a prominent figure and attracted millions of new followers on social media after Cape Verde secured their first-ever World Cup point. This historic achievement came from a goalless draw against Spain during the group stage, a team that eventually went on to become champions. His performances turned him into a fan favourite, with support from content creators like Casimiro further boosting his popularity. His Instagram following reportedly increased from approximately 50,000 to nearly 30 million within a few weeks.
Cape Verde, which is among the smallest nations to have participated in the World Cup finals, came close to causing an upset against Argentina in the round of 32. They were eventually eliminated from the competition following a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Lionel Messi and his teammates. Argentina had entered the tournament as holders and advanced to another final.
The veteran goalkeeper was a standout performer throughout the tournament, making a series of remarkable saves, particularly against Lionel Messi. He denied the Argentine superstar on multiple occasions, almost helping his side achieve one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Following their defeat, Vozinha remarked, “We have dignified Cape Verde as a national team in most parts of the world. Today, we fought on an equal footing against Argentina.”
Pico Lopes, a defender for Cape Verde, praised Vozinha, describing him as a “quality, quality goalkeeper” and a “legend in Cape Verdean football.”
Career Path and Future Prospects
Born Josimar José Évora Dias, Vozinha‘s professional career began at the age of 26. He has previously played club football in various countries, including Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus, and Portugal. His career has largely been characterised by free transfers, and he was a free agent this summer after leaving Chaves on July 1.
The move to Colo Colo concludes weeks of speculation that had linked the experienced shot-stopper with a potential transfer to Inter Miami in the United States, where he might have played alongside Lionel Messi. However, Vozinha ultimately chose to continue his career with the Chilean club.
Colo Colo‘s president, Aníbal Mosa, emphasised that the transfer was driven by sporting considerations. He stated, “From a sporting perspective, Vozinha is in excellent form, and that is why we decided to sign him.” With 92 international appearances since his debut for Cape Verde in 2012, Vozinha now embarks on a new chapter with Colo Colo, aiming to build upon the global recognition he gained from his inspiring World Cup performances.
His prior clubs include AS Trencin, AEL Limassol, Gil Vicente, and Zimbru Chisinau.
Source: bbc.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
