Cape Verde's World Cup goalkeeper Vozinha says he's not enjoying his new fame
After a standout draw against Spain at the World Cup, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has become a global star, but he says the sudden fame brings him more trouble than joy.
Debutant nation Cape Verde drew wide attention at the 2026 World Cup, with goalkeeper Vozinha becoming a particular focus of interest. He helped his team hold soon-to-be champions Spain to a 0:0 draw, saving seven shots in the process. It was the only match at the tournament in which Spain failed to win.
The result brought Vozinha unexpected worldwide popularity. Before the tournament, he had 56,000 followers on Instagram. Right after the draw with Spain, that number jumped to 14 million, and it later doubled again to reach 28 million.
Fame without joy
Despite the massive surge in popularity, the 40-year-old goalkeeper said his new status brings him no satisfaction. He said he has lost his peace and peace of mind, and no longer has the level of privacy he once had.
Vozinha said that whenever he goes to a restaurant, someone always wants a photo or an autograph, or worse, someone simply films him without asking. He called it the biggest change in his life and said he doesn't think there's anything he can do about it.
He noted that many people wish for fame and public recognition but only see its positive side. He said that if he were given the choice between his current life and the life he had before the World Cup, he would choose the one from before.
The fame has also affected his family — Vozinha said that people show up every day at his mother's house in Cape Verde looking for him, meaning his relatives are also dealing with the side effects of his sudden celebrity.
