The story of 40-year-old Josimar José Évora Dias (popularly known by his nick name 'Vozinha'), the goalkeeper of the Cape Verde national team that made their debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup, is one of perseverance and a reminder to all that it is never too late to achieve one's goal or dream of greatness in life irrespective of status, age.

Vozinha, who was named by fans and the media as a "hero" for Cape Verde due to his impressive performance, however, in the years leading to his stint at the World Cup, had struggled through his football career. Born on 3 June 1986 in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde, Vozinha's club career has consisted of spells in Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus, and Slovakia. 

He began his career at local club Batuque, playing for them until 2011 before moving to local city rivals Mindelense. In 2012, he was signed by Progresso do Sambizanga in Angola, remaining for three years until the expiration of his contract. In March 2015, Vozinha returned to Mindelense in the São Vicente Island League, signing for one year. He played all games in the successful Cape Verdean Championship campaign, excluding the final.

In July 2015, he joined Moldovan National Division club Zimbru Chișinău. Vozinha moved in August 2016 to Gil Vicente of the Liga Portugal 2, in which he saved five penalties in 32 games. In June 2017, he joined Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol. After five years in Cyprus, Vozinha joined Slovak First League club AS Trenčín in August 2022, signing for six months with an option for a further year. In July 2024, he returned to Portugal, signing for Liga Portugal 2 side Chaves. On 1 June 2026, approaching his 40th birthday and with his contract expiring, he announced his exit.

Vozinha made his debut for the Cape Verde national team in September 2012 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification playoff first leg at home to Cameroon, a 2–0 win. He remained in goal for the second leg in Yaoundé on 14 October, a 2–1 loss which saw Cape Verde qualify for its first major tournament. At the finals in South Africa, the team reached the quarterfinals before a 2–0 loss to Ghana. He conceded the second goal after going up for the throw-in in the lulling seconds to attack corner kick. Vozinha also played at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. On 7 October 2020, he earned his 50th cap in a 2–1 friendly win away to Andorra, and a year later he was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He was also called up once more to play in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Even his name came with some challenges. His parents wanted to name him Valdano after Argentina player, Jorge Valdano, but it was not permitted by Cape Verde authorities. Instead, he was given his first name, in honour of Josimar, a full-back for Brazil at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He was given his nickname "Vozinha" by his grandparents, who raised him. He said that he played under his first name until he moved to Angola, where another goalkeeper was also called Josimar.

"I started playing professional football when I was 25 years old, in 2012. It was too late for a person like me," said Vozinha. "I thought about leaving the national team, but then I continued because of this dream," he added during an interview with BBC reporter Elizabeth Conway.

Fast forward to 2026, Vozinha, the second-highest caps earner in the history of the Cape Verde national team, attracted significant international attention and acclaim for his performance at the FIFA World Cup, keeping clean sheets against Spain and Saudi Arabia as well as leading Cape Verde in a highly-lauded bout against defending champions Argentina in the knockout phase. More remarkably was the game against European champions Spain, the most memorable result in his country's history.

Vozinha's performance was lauded by fans and the media, and he was named a "hero" for Cape Verde. In less than 24 hours, he had moved from 50,000 followers to 17 million on Instagram, he won the Player of the Match Award for his performance at the World Cup, became the oldest player to feature in a nation's first FIFA World Cup match, a feat that led to breaking the record that had been set by Curaçao's Eloy Room a day earlier; and was also the ninth-oldest player to ever feature in the World Cup tournament. 

Not done yet, he became the third-oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match, following Peter Shilton and Dino Zoff, and, in the process, moved into second-place among goalkeepers over 40 years old for most saves in a World Cup match on record (since 1966). On 26 June, he kept another clean sheet in a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, helping his country qualify for the knockout stage as group runners-up. In the Round of 32, Vozinha saved eight shots against defending champions Argentina in a 3–2 loss in extra time.

Despite his impressive outing, Vozinha said, "Our best weapon is our unity. Regardless of the player who arrives today, or the player who is 10 or 15 years old, the way we treat our family is our greatest strength…The performance is a performance for everyone. I am the man of the game, but this award is for all my colleagues, because without them, nothing is possible. And I will continue to work for the team and for the people."

In reference to the team's remarkable performance, Conway wrote, "For a nation of just over half a million people, the third smallest ever to qualify for a World Cup, this was a result of immense significance... In the stands, their supporters matched that intensity. Clad in blue and waving red, white and blue flags, they sang and danced throughout, lifting their team through every difficult moment. By full-time, neutrals had been won over. Cape Verde's story had become everyone's story. A small island nation, no larger than Sheffield, had captured the imagination of the football world."

Sources: Wikipedia, BBC