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The Cape Verdean goalie, known as \u201cVozinha\u201d has proved that age is just a number by saving seven goals in a legendary performance against Spain, blocking every shot at the goal and becoming the oldest player to so in World Cup history.<\/span><\/p>\n The World Cup is a place where unlikely heroes are born, and in the case of Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar Dias, life will never be the same again. The Cape Verde goalkeeper saw his Instagram account rocket from 50,000 followers before the team\u2019s opening round game against Spain, up to 11.5 million and counting<\/a>, as of this writing. That\u2019s because Dias has captured the world\u2019s attention by proving that athletes can still break records after the age of 40. <\/span><\/p>\n The nickname, \u201cVozinha\u201d was given to Dias by his grandparents as a child and roughly translates to \u201cLittle Granny\u201d in Portuguese,<\/span> but there\u2019s nothing frail about the footballer who reached soccer\u2019s biggest stage. Having played for teams in Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus, and Slovakia, Dias was already a decorated player, earning the second highest number of international appearances with the Cape Verde national team, which is also his birthplace.<\/span><\/p>\n Dias, who is 40 years of age and stands at 6-feet-2-inches tall, <\/span>\u00a0decided to use Vozinha as his professional name to separate himself from another goalkeeper called Josimar. \u201cI said, \u2018I am not going to put Josimar II on the shirt\u2019,\u201d he explained in a previous interview.<\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u201cIf everyone knew me as Vozinha in Cape Verde, that\u2019s what I would be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Dias\u2019 story of making World Cup history at 40 is a reminder that we can all still stirve to reach our potential. Indeed, personal records are not reserved for the young. Spain had been one of the tournament favorites, but left Atlanta with a 0-0 draw thanks to Vozinha\u2019s seven saves. Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations competing in the 2026 World Cup, was able to secure their first-ever World Cup point<\/a> thanks to the team\u2019s epic efforts. <\/span><\/p>\n Commenting on the terrific turn of events the via Instagram, Vozinha said; \u201cDream come true! Representing Cape Verde on the world football\u2019s biggest stage is an indescribable honour. Speechless\u2026 just pride, gratitude, and responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Cape Verde\u2019s next World Cup game is against Uruguay on June 21.<\/span><\/p>\n To follow Vozinha on Instagram, click here.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWho Is Vozinha and Why Is He Trending Worldwide?<\/h2>\n
Vozinha\u2019s Historic Performance Against Spain Explained<\/h2>\n