World Cup hero Vozinha receives a hero’s welcome in Chile as he begins a new chapter with Colo-Colo!
Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup breakout goalkeeper, Vozinha, has officially landed in Santiago to complete his transfer to Chilean powerhouse Colo-Colo.
Before his arrival, a major legal hurdle had to be cleared regarding his jersey name.The Rule: Chile’s ANFP Primera División regulations strictly dictate that players must wear only their surnames (Josimar José Évora Dias) on their backs.
The Exemption: To protect his massive global brand—which saw his Instagram account explode from 50,000 to over 29 million followers during the World Cup—Colo-Colo successfully petitioned for a waiver.
The Result: The league presidents voted unanimously to amend the rules, allowing him to officially wear “Vozinha” (Portuguese for “grandma”) on his jersey.
Vozinha entered the 2026 World Cup as an unattached free agent after playing for Portuguese second-division side Chaves.
His heroic performances—including an 8-save masterclass that held eventual champions Spain to a 0-0 draw and taking Argentina to extra time in the Round of 32—completely changed his career trajectory.
He will now compete for the starting spot under Argentine manager Fernando Ortiz as Colo-Colo pushes for domestic and Copa Libertadores glory.