Cabo Verde's Vozinha weeps after World Cup heroics, says mother could not afford US visa

Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who made seven saves and earned player-of-the-match honours in Cabo Verde's historic 0-0 draw with Spain in the country's first Fifa World Cup appearance, broke down in tears after the final whistle on Monday (15 June).

The veteran keeper called the match the culmination of a lifelong dream, but admitted the moment was bittersweet as his mother was unable to attend because she could not afford a US visa, reports The Guardian.

He also said he wished his late grandparents had been alive to witness the achievement.

Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, became the oldest player to appear in a nation's first World Cup match at 40 years and 12 days old, surpassing a record set days earlier by Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room, according to the BBC.

His performance at Atlanta Stadium against the European champions also placed him in rare company, making him the only goalkeeper over the age of 40 besides Pat Jennings in 1986 to make more than seven saves in a World Cup match.

Cabo Verde, the third-smallest nation to qualify for the tournament, relied heavily on Vozinha's experience and organisation as it earned a point against one of the favourites.

Speaking after the match, Vozinha said individual recognition reflected the collective effort behind the result.

"The performance is a performance for everyone. I am the man of the game, but this award is for all my colleagues, because without them, nothing is possible," he said.

The result prompted celebrations in Cabo Verde's capital Praia, where supporters gathered with vuvuzelas, chanting and car horns. Fans danced to the official World Cup song "nos óra dja txiga" ("our time has come"), while flags appeared on windows and rooftops across neighbourhoods.

Isa Conceição, a supporter, said: "Being a small country and being able to achieve such a good result against Spain, a football powerhouse, is the greatest feeling ever."

A visitor from France, identified as Pauline, said Cabo Verde's display reflected that they "played with their hearts. That's all that matters."

Another supporter from Congo said: "I thought Spain was going to win the match, but the energy, the speed of Cabo Verde was just amazing."

The performance drew praise from football figures and commentators.

French midfielder Paul Pogba wrote on social media: "The Cabo Verde goalkeeper is really something, waaaaw."

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin said Vozinha "lit up this game" and was "absolutely brilliant."

Nevin also credited the team's collective spirit, saying: "To do that and to keep that level of concentration, you don't do that if you're a bunch of individuals, you only do that if you're a team."

ITV pundit Lee Dixon praised Cabo Verde's performance, saying: "It's absolutely fantastic. A brilliant performance. They deserve that point more than anything... the night is Cabo Verde's."

Reflecting on the emotion surrounding the match, Dixon added: "What a performance from every single one of them... that man there [Vozinha] crying - I'm almost crying myself."

Vozinha was seen in tears after the final whistle and later linked the emotion to family members who had shaped his life.

"I cried because I grew up with my grandparents... Unfortunately they were not here. They died a few years before. They were everything for me, everything for my life," he said.

He added that his mother had been unable to attend the match.

"She didn't manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money you have to pay for the visa, we didn't manage on time. I would like her to be here."

The goalkeeper's path to football's biggest stage was unconventional. He did not begin playing professionally until the age of 25 and had previously struggled for opportunities.

"I started playing professional football when I was 25 years old... It was too late for a person like me," he said.

"I was one of the best keepers on my island, but I was small... Even when I performed well, I wasn't selected because of my height."

Vozinha later played for clubs in Portugal, Slovakia, Angola, Moldova and Cyprus and currently plays for Portuguese second-tier side Chaves.

Explaining his nickname, which means "little granny" in Portuguese, he recalled an early moment in his career.

"When I arrived in Angola, there was another goalkeeper named Josimar, and I said, 'I am not going to put Josimar II on the shirt'. If everyone knew me as Vozinha in Cabo Verde, that's what I would be."

He said Cabo Verde's progress had been built around its internal bond.

"Our best weapon is our unity. Regardless of the player who arrives today, or the player who is 10 or 15 years old, the way we treat our family is our greatest strength."

He added: "Everyone thought that we came here just to enjoy the World Cup, but no... we are here to compete, and we are here to fight for our country."

The draw also brought widespread online attention for the goalkeeper after Brazilian YouTube channel CazeTV encouraged viewers to follow him, with reports saying his social media following rose sharply after the match.

"That is crazy," Vozinha said.