Vozinha’s 24-Hour Journey From Colo-Colo Debut to Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha completed a remarkable 24-hour journey from Santiago to London after making his first league appearance for Colo-Colo in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Palestino, before attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony as a Yashin Trophy nominee.
The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar José Évora Dias, made three notable saves against Palestino despite being expected to miss the match because of the ceremony. He then left for Santiago airport and travelled via Madrid, taking a private flight for the final leg to London alongside Colo-Colo president Aníbal Mosa.
Vozinha arrived at the London Palladium on Monday evening shortly before the Ballon d’Or event began. His tuxedo had been carried on the aircraft as he rushed from the Chilean capital to the ceremony, where he also met Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and former Italy manager Fabio Capello.
World Cup run earned Yashin recognition
The nomination reflected Vozinha’s performances for Cape Verde at the summer World Cup rather than his limited club action. He kept a clean sheet against eventual champions Spain in Cape Verde’s opening fixture and later helped take Argentina, who reached the final, into a dramatic extra-time contest in the round of 32.
He made several important interventions against Lionel Messi during the Argentina tie. Spain had also struck the crossbar during their defeat to Cape Verde, but Vozinha’s display made him one of the tournament’s most unlikely standout figures.
His following grew rapidly during the competition, rising from 56,000 Instagram followers to 27.7 million. Fans also voted him into FIFA’s Dream XI as the starting goalkeeper.
After the win over Spain, an emotional Vozinha said: “The performance is a performance for everyone.”
Born in Mindelo, on Cape Verde’s island of São Vicente, Vozinha has built an unusually wide-ranging career. Before joining Colo-Colo, he had played in Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus and Slovakia, with his most recent spell including appearances for Chaves in Liga Portugal 2.
Setbacks for club and country
His rise has not removed the challenges facing him at club level. At Colo-Colo, Vozinha has struggled to dislodge a teenage goalkeeper from the first-choice role, although his performance against Palestino may give the coaching staff another decision to consider.
Cape Verde also endured a difficult September in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, losing both matches. Vozinha made an error in a 3-1 defeat to Mali, while Rwanda won 2-1 after scoring with both of their shots on target.
On arriving at Colo-Colo, the goalkeeper said he had always believed he could represent a major club, despite spending much of his career in smaller leagues and with less prominent sides.
He has also acknowledged that his sudden public profile has brought pressures as well as opportunities. In a recent interview, Vozinha said many people only see the appealing side of fame, adding that he would choose his former life over his current one if given the option.
Simón takes the trophy
Vozinha did not win the Yashin Trophy, with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón taking the award. David Raya was also among the leading goalkeepers present in London.
There was an awkward moment during the ceremony when the nominees’ video package ended before Vozinha was shown. Nevertheless, his place on the shortlist marked an extraordinary recognition for a goalkeeper who reached his first World Cup at the age of 40.
Vítor Martins, who managed Vozinha at Chaves before the tournament, praised the goalkeeper’s conduct when he departed Portugal. Martins said Vozinha was experiencing a unique point in his career and had been “a perfect professional until the end.”
For Vozinha, the London trip capped a period in which a veteran goalkeeper from Cape Verde moved from relative obscurity to the World Cup stage and then the Ballon d’Or audience. His nomination may not lead to a sustained place among the game’s elite, but it recognised a summer in which he delivered two of the most memorable performances of his long career.
