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Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is the latest footballer to harness the power of social media at this summer's World Cup.
New Zealand right back Tim Payne became the subject of a viral movement after fans rallied around claims that he could be the "least-known player at the tournament." Payne's social media presence quickly exploded, jumping from roughly 4,700 followers to 5.8 million.
Vozinha's surge in popularity was far more natural. The 40-year-old shot-stopper was outstanding during Cabo Verde's remarkable 0–0 stalemate with Spain, producing seven saves as Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and their teammates were left empty-handed.
While earning a point against the reigning European champions was the greatest reward, Vozinha has watched his Instagram account overflow with admiration. When the match began, his follower count sat at approximately 45,000. At the time of writing, he is approaching 7 million.
"I have dedicated my entire life to this moment," an emotional Vozinha reflected. "I'm 40 years old. I began my professional football career at 25, back in 2012. I considered quitting but I pressed on because of this dream.
"This belongs to everyone. I was named man of the match but this is for all of my teammates because without them none of this would have been possible. I will keep fighting for Cape Verde and for its people."
Visa Fees Rob Vozinha of Family Moment
"I wept because I was raised by my grandparents and sadly they were not here; they passed away a few years ago," Vozinha continued. "They meant everything to me, in every aspect of my life."
Fate may have denied Vozinha the chance to share the moment with his most cherished supporters, but U.S. immigration policies further restricted which family members could celebrate alongside the goalkeeper on the sidelines. In January, Cabo Verde was among 38 nations placed under a new visa bond scheme, requiring citizens of those countries to pay a refundable deposit of between $5,000 and $15,000 when applying for a visitor visa.
Those steep financial requirements proved insurmountable for Vozinha's mother.
"I also cried because my mum couldn't make it here because of the visa," he admitted. "Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn't manage to on time. I would have loved for her to be here."
What's Next for Vozinha After Viral Fame?
At 40 years of age, with his most recent club experience coming in Portugal's second division with Chaves, labeling Vozinha a "breakout star" of the tournament and predicting a high-profile transfer this summer may be overstating things.
We have witnessed goalkeepers earn significant moves on the back of World Cup heroics before. In 2014, Keylor Navas secured a transfer to Real Madrid after a stunning tournament with Costa Rica. Few anticipated that deal before the competition began, though the crucial distinction is that Navas was just 27 at the time and was already competing in La Liga with Levante.
Vozinha is unlikely to be competing with Thibaut Courtois for playing time next season — and perhaps that suits him fine, given where his club loyalties lie.
"I am a fan of Barcelona, I am a fan of Arsenal also," Vozinha revealed. "[David] Raya was on the bench and he's a great goalkeeper. Rodri plays [for] Manchester City, that is one of the best teams in the world. But when the game starts, I think we forget that."
If Vozinha can sustain this caliber of performance, a line of modest clubs is likely to form, eager to offer him one final chapter before the inevitable shadow of retirement catches up with the seasoned veteran.