Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, a World Cup sensation, played at Chaves with two former Real Zaragoza players

"Everyone already knows where Cabo Verde is." With those words, Josimar José Évora Dias — known worldwide as Vozinha — bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup. One of the tournament's sensations has put the finishing touch on his country's participation after being eliminated tonight by Lionel Messi's Argentina. The Cabo Verde team twice equalized the South American side's lead before falling 3-2 in extra time.

A Creditable Campaign

Cabo Verde leaves the World Cup with its head held high. Two of the tournament's most recent champions (Spain and Argentina), as well as Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, were unable to beat the African team within 90 minutes — or even longer, counting lengthy stoppage time.

It will not be long before the achievement of the African team, led by Vozinha, appears on big screens. Despite being a volcanic archipelago with just over half a million inhabitants, Cabo Verde formed a squad of footballers — some of whom are not professionals — who made a strong impression at the World Cup.

Vozinha and His Connection with Two Former Real Zaragoza Players

Vozinha began the World Cup without a club after finishing his contract with Chaves (Portugal). He reached 20 million followers on Instagram (before the match against Spain he had 50,000), and his saves against the best players in world football are going viral globally. The World Cup organization even awarded him the best player prize in the match against Luis de la Fuente's Spain, following seven interventions — some of which are destined to be among the tournament's finest — that prevented the 'Roja' forwards from starting the tournament with three points.

"I want to express my deep gratitude to Chaves for the trust shown over these two years of the contract. It was an honor to represent this great club, wear this shirt, and always give my best version on and off the field. Your support, dedication, and professionalism were fundamental in making this experience so special," wrote the Cabo Verde goalkeeper in a post on June 1.

Although it may seem coincidental, the African goalkeeper has a connection with Real Zaragoza. Vozinha spent two consecutive seasons sharing a locker room at Chaves with two former Zaragoza players. In the season that just ended, Bikoroa was a teammate of the Cabo Verde goalkeeper in Portugal's second division. "What a game, brother," wrote the international midfielder for Equatorial Guinea after his teammate's display against Spain.

Vozinha, aged 40 and without a team after finishing his contract last month, also coincided in his first season at Chaves with a Real Zaragoza youth product who currently plays in Romania. Alberto Sorto spent half a season — from January 2025 to May of the same year — defending Chaves' colors. His current club, Dinamo Bucharest, loaned him to the Portuguese side. The player from Ejea de los Caballeros was already familiar with Portuguese competition after his stint at Vizela.

Source: El Periódico de Aragón