Cape Verde goalie Josimar Dias, also known as Vozinha, has seen his social media following explode after his team’s stunning 0-0 draw with Spain in the 2026 World Cup. Vozinha, who had around 50,000 followers on Instagram before the match, now has over five million followers.

Vozinha’s Rise to Fame

Vozinha, who turned 40 on June 3, has been playing at the senior level since 2007. He has played for several teams, including Portuguese side Gil Vicente, and has been a part of Cape Verde’s national team since 2012. Vozinha’s performance against Spain, where he made seven saves and kept a clean sheet, has made him an overnight sensation.

Vozinha’s nickname, which means ‘little grandmother’ in Portuguese, was given to him by older kids who would beat him on the soccer field and then laugh, saying he was going home to complain to his grandparents. He took on the nickname after a teammate shared the same first name as him.

Cape Verde will take on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia next in Group H action, and Vozinha’s newfound fame is expected to boost his team’s morale. The Blue Sharks can now move forward with more confidence, knowing they have their ‘little grandmother’ protecting the goal.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.