Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is speaking out about his newfound fame following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that he longs for the days before millions knew his name.
Over the summer, the 40-year-old athlete, whose given name is Josimar José Évora Dias, became a viral sensation as fans learned more about him and his team’s underdog story. Since then, he has gained over 28 million followers on Instagram and his posts receive thousands of comments.
But in a recent interview with British newspaper The Observer, Vozinha opened up about the struggles that come with celebrity.
Vozinha during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on July 3, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Simon Stacpoole/Offside / Offside via Getty Images
“I’ve lost my peace and tranquillity,” he told the publication. “I no longer have any privacy, or at least much less than I used to. Now I go out, I go to a restaurant, and there’s always someone who wants to take a photo with me or asks me for an autograph.”
“Or, worse, someone is filming me. That’s what has changed most in my life, and I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it,” he added. Fans have also been showing up at his mother’s home in Cape Verde.
According to the newspaper, Vozinha had 56,000 followers on Instagram before his team’s unforgettable opening match against Spain, which ended in a 0-0 draw. When the final whistle blew, he already had more than 1 million.
Vozinha said he learned about his popularity from a member of the team’s catering staff. He didn’t believe him at first. But after seeing the numbers himself, he re-hired a former manager to help him manage his growing fame.
Vozinha of Cape Verde competes with Lionel Messi of Argentina during their World Cup match at Miami Stadium on July 3, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Chris Brunskill/Fantasista / Getty Images
“I decided to turn off my Instagram notifications so I wouldn’t be tempted to keep checking who was following me,” he shared.
The goalkeeper revealed he wishes he could return to the life he had before the tournament.
“A lot of people want to be famous and have a public profile, but they only see the positive side of that reality,” he explained. “To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the life I had before, I’d choose the one I had before.”
However, he does acknowledge the benefits of becoming an international star, like the attention his home country has received.
“It’s nice to feel like a kind of ambassador, but I want to make it clear that what we achieved was a collective effort. We made history and the best news would be if we could harness that momentum to develop our country and improve the living conditions of our people,” he said.
Vozinha has since joined Colo Colo as goalkeeper.JAVIER TORRES / AFP via Getty Images
Vozinha had a relatively late start in the sport — he didn’t go pro until his early 20s. He gained attention and admiration during the major sporting event this summer as it was the first FIFA World Cup for the goalkeeper and his country. He stopped 27 shots, with seven official saves, in his matchup with Spain. After the match, he became visibly emotional as he embraced his teammates and the Spanish players.
When he previously spoke to NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch in June about his growing fandom, he said the public response to him was “insane.”
He continued, “It’s unbelievable. I just have to say thank you to all of them, to all of the followers.”
The athlete also went up against Argentina and Lionel Messi in a July match. He had previously said it was his dream to play against the soccer legend. During their match, he made eight saves, pushing the 2022 champs to their limit. However, Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time.
Vozinha has since signed with Chilean team Colo-Colo and made his debut with the team in late August.