In Chile, Cape Verde Hero Vozinha Struggles to Cope with Glare of Fame

Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)
Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)
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In Chile, Cape Verde Hero Vozinha Struggles to Cope with Glare of Fame

Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)
Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)

After repelling eventual champions Spain and becoming an instant global celebrity, Vozinha was an unlikely hero of this year's World Cup. But four months on from his tournament exploits, Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper is discovering that adapting to his new-found fame is not easy.

The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, moved to Chile in July and now finds himself struggling to settle at new club Colo Colo.

At the World Cup, Vozinha helped Cape Verde hold Spain to a 0-0 draw on their tournament debut as the tiny African island nation reached the last 32, where they took Lionel Messi's Argentina to extra time before bowing out.

Before that game against Spain in Atlanta, Vozinha was just a journeyman goalkeeper who had spent his career shuffling between unremarkable clubs in Portugal, Cyprus and Slovakia.

A clean sheet against the World Cup favorites saw his Instagram account balloon from 50,000 followers to several million in a matter of hours. He now has 27.5 million followers.

Vozinha shed tears after that match, because of the scale of his and the team's achievement, but also sadness at not being able to obtain a visa for his mother to be there.

After joining Colo Colo, Chile's most successful side from the capital Santiago, he was unveiled at their Estadio Monumental before thousands of fans to a backdrop of fireworks.

He has been recruited by global brands like Adidas, Pepsi and Red Bull to be the face of advertising campaigns.

Vozinha also recently attended the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London as he came sixth in the voting for the men's goalkeeper of the year prize.

However, on the field the player who spent last season in Portugal's second division has toiled.

By the start of November he had appeared in only five games out of a possible 14 for Colo Colo, who won the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the Champions League, in 1991.

He was expected to be a substitute again this weekend, as his new team closes in on the Chilean title, and a place in next year's Copa Libertadores.

"I came here with the intention of playing in the Libertadores, but my focus is on this week, which could be very important for Colo Colo. My future will be decided after that. I'm not thinking about that," Vozinha told reporters.

- Reluctant celebrity -

Vozinha's life was turned on its head following his World Cup exploits. He has moved to a new country, and went from being a virtual unknown to a celebrity with no privacy.

He worked as a rubbish collector before turning professional. To put his number of Instagram followers into perspective: the entire population of his native Cape Verde is only a little over 500,000.

"I've lost my peace and tranquility," Vozinha told British newspaper The Observer.

"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."

In the first few weeks after signing for Colo Colo, Vozinha regularly went to a bakery in the wealthy Vitacura neighborhood of Santiago.

"I think it was good for him to go because he felt welcomed and was able to chat to people," Gustavo Cassin, the manager of the cafe called Metissage, tells AFP.

Cassin and Vozinha avoided discussing football. The player would talk longingly about his home country as he waited for his morning croissant.

- Will he stay? -

The past, when he combined playing with teaching beach volleyball, is now a distant memory.

"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," he told The Observer.

In Chile, media are speculating as to whether Vozinha will remain into 2027 -- he signed a six-month contract with Colo Colo extendable by a year only if he plays enough minutes.

He has faced criticism, with Chilean goalkeeping legend Claudio Bravo, formerly of Barcelona and Manchester City, questioning his ability.

"He has made several errors in situations that require coordination," said the ex-Chile captain. "And if you don't have coordination, you'll never do it."

Vozinha has a handful of games remaining before his contract runs out, and perhaps with it his Chilean adventure.



Real Madrid Beat Valencia as Spanish Football Honors De Miguel

Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)
Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)
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Real Madrid Beat Valencia as Spanish Football Honors De Miguel

Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)
Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)

Real Madrid pulled level with La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday, as Spanish football paid tribute to Jesus de Miguel.

Tenerife striker De Miguel died Tuesday after a collision with Andorra's goalkeeper in a Spanish second division match on Monday, and matches across the country were stopped in the ninth minute to pay homage to the number nine.

In Tenerife, fans and players gathered at the stadium for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel.

"You knew what it meant to work towards a common goal, you understood football as something that went far beyond oneself," said Tenerife captain Enric Gallego in an emotional speech.

"Just a few days ago, we were sharing all of that with you -- today we have to speak of you in the past tense. It's terribly unfair."

De Miguel's funeral took place on Thursday and around 400 mourners attended, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Spain's footballers' union had asked for all weekend matches to be paused as a mark of respect, but most games went ahead.

There was a minute of silence before kick-off for De Miguel and matches were stopped for a minute's applause in the ninth minute -- his shirt number.

- 'This team smells good' -

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe scored for the seventh match running in the win over 10-man Valencia.

Reigning champions Barca visit Atletico Madrid, third, on Sunday, aiming to move back clear of the chasing pack.

Jose Mourinho's Madrid largely dominated at Mestalla stadium as they secured an eighth win in a row across all competitions.

Federico Valverde and Arda Guler's first half goals put Madrid in the driving seat and Mbappe added a third in the second half.

"From my experience, this team smells good," Mourinho told reporters.

The Madrid coach said his team did not lose their heads after their last defeat, by Atletico Madrid on September 20, after which their winning run began.

"We never had chaos, we've been calm, we understand why we lost that game," said Mourinho.

"I always fight for people to be balanced in the good moments, I always tell them that winning games in a team like Real Madrid, you can't be taken up in a whirlwind of joy, winning games at Real Madrid has to be normality."

Los Blancos were without winger Vinicius Junior, who was serving the final game of a four-match ban.

Madrid have thrived in his absence, putting heavy pressure on Barca, whom they beat in the Camp Nou Clasico on October 25.

Valencia's Guido Rodriguez had a goal disallowed for offside before Mourinho's side took control.

Valverde drilled Madrid ahead from outside the area after Mbappe's free-kick was blocked by the Valencia wall and fell to the Uruguayan.

Guler soon doubled the lead, after Jude Bellingham's cross was deflected kindly into his path.

Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski saved from Guler, Mbappe and Jude Bellingham as Madrid tried to find a third to kill off the game.

Eventually Mbappe produced it, bursting onto a dangerous pass by Guler to dart past Dimitrievski and squeeze home his 13th league goal of the campaign.

It was the forward's 17th goal in 16 games across all competitions. Mbappe has netted in his last seven appearances for Madrid.

Valencia captain Jose Gaya was dismissed with around 10 minutes remaining for a late sliding foul on Mbappe to further spoil Javier Aguirre's team's night. Los Che are 19th, a point from safety.

"We knew it would be a tough game, facing Madrid at their best moment of the season," Gaya told DAZN.

"We tried in the second half, changed our system... but we couldn't get into the game."

Earlier new Espanyol coach Eder Sarabia's side were held to a goalless home draw by Deportivo La Coruna.

Osasuna snatched a late 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, while Racing Santander came from behind to beat Malaga 2-1.


Rybakina Withdrawal a Blow but WTA Finals Field Remains Strong, Says Muguruza

Pan Pacific Open - Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan - October 30, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina gives a speech after retiring from her quarter-final match against Canada's Leylah Fernandez and giving a walkover due to injury. (Reuters)
Pan Pacific Open - Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan - October 30, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina gives a speech after retiring from her quarter-final match against Canada's Leylah Fernandez and giving a walkover due to injury. (Reuters)
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Rybakina Withdrawal a Blow but WTA Finals Field Remains Strong, Says Muguruza

Pan Pacific Open - Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan - October 30, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina gives a speech after retiring from her quarter-final match against Canada's Leylah Fernandez and giving a walkover due to injury. (Reuters)
Pan Pacific Open - Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan - October 30, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina gives a speech after retiring from her quarter-final match against Canada's Leylah Fernandez and giving a walkover due to injury. (Reuters)

Elena Rybakina's withdrawal from the WTA Finals on the eve of the season-ending championships is disappointing, but the world number one needs time to recover from the physical toll of a demanding year, tournament director Garbine Muguruza said.

Defending champion Rybakina pulled out of the tournament on Saturday, saying she was not physically ready to compete, leaving Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk to take her place in the eight-player field at Indian Wells.

Muguruza, the former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion, said she had spoken with Rybakina and that the Kazakh had been unable to recover in time after struggling with physical problems late in the season.

"We love Elena and we know that she was feeling so-so in Tokyo as well," Muguruza told Reuters. "I spoke to her today and she really couldn't recover on time.

"What we want is for her ‌to feel good, ‌to go rest, to recover. We don't want her to feel like ‌she ⁠has to play — ⁠only if she's ready to."

Rybakina, who won two Grand Slam titles this year, also withdrew from the Tokyo quarter-finals last month because of a neck injury.

'AMAZING FIELD'

Rybakina's absence deprives the event of some star power, but Muguruza said the round-robin format and depth of the field would ensure a high-quality tournament.

"We have the best players," said Muguruza, who triumphed at the WTA Finals in Guadalajara in 2021.

"I know our world number one is not going to be able to play, but we have an amazing field, the very best.

"Every match ⁠could be a Grand Slam final. You really need to be ready. ‌You cannot give one inch."

Kostyuk, who is making her WTA ‌Finals debut after a breakthrough season that included the Madrid title and a rise into the top 10, was ‌already in Indian Wells as an alternate and practicing when Rybakina withdrew.

Muguruza said the Ukrainian, known ‌for her signature post-match backflip celebrations, had earned her opportunity.

"Marta is great. She's had a breakthrough year," Muguruza said. "With this year, we have many first-time players in the Finals, and that's very exciting. It's very hard to qualify."

Kostyuk has been outspoken about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and does not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents. Muguruza ‌said the tournament would support players in making their own decisions.

"They're free to do whatever they feel," she said. "We are open and supporting them."

Rybakina's withdrawal could ⁠create an opening for world number two Aryna Sabalenka to make inroads in the rankings.

Sabalenka, who won the Indian Wells title earlier this year, has the chance to reduce the gap with Rybakina at the top of the rankings, Muguruza said, while also highlighting Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva as a player comfortable in the California desert.

"Of course, Aryna might be thinking that this can be a good opportunity," Muguruza said.


In Chile, Cape Verde Hero Vozinha Struggles to Cope with Glare of Fame

Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)
Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)
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In Chile, Cape Verde Hero Vozinha Struggles to Cope with Glare of Fame

Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)
Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha looks on during his presentation as new Colo Colo goalkeeper at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago on August 5, 2026. (AFP)

After repelling eventual champions Spain and becoming an instant global celebrity, Vozinha was an unlikely hero of this year's World Cup. But four months on from his tournament exploits, Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper is discovering that adapting to his new-found fame is not easy.

The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, moved to Chile in July and now finds himself struggling to settle at new club Colo Colo.

At the World Cup, Vozinha helped Cape Verde hold Spain to a 0-0 draw on their tournament debut as the tiny African island nation reached the last 32, where they took Lionel Messi's Argentina to extra time before bowing out.

Before that game against Spain in Atlanta, Vozinha was just a journeyman goalkeeper who had spent his career shuffling between unremarkable clubs in Portugal, Cyprus and Slovakia.

A clean sheet against the World Cup favorites saw his Instagram account balloon from 50,000 followers to several million in a matter of hours. He now has 27.5 million followers.

Vozinha shed tears after that match, because of the scale of his and the team's achievement, but also sadness at not being able to obtain a visa for his mother to be there.

After joining Colo Colo, Chile's most successful side from the capital Santiago, he was unveiled at their Estadio Monumental before thousands of fans to a backdrop of fireworks.

He has been recruited by global brands like Adidas, Pepsi and Red Bull to be the face of advertising campaigns.

Vozinha also recently attended the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London as he came sixth in the voting for the men's goalkeeper of the year prize.

However, on the field the player who spent last season in Portugal's second division has toiled.

By the start of November he had appeared in only five games out of a possible 14 for Colo Colo, who won the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the Champions League, in 1991.

He was expected to be a substitute again this weekend, as his new team closes in on the Chilean title, and a place in next year's Copa Libertadores.

"I came here with the intention of playing in the Libertadores, but my focus is on this week, which could be very important for Colo Colo. My future will be decided after that. I'm not thinking about that," Vozinha told reporters.

- Reluctant celebrity -

Vozinha's life was turned on its head following his World Cup exploits. He has moved to a new country, and went from being a virtual unknown to a celebrity with no privacy.

He worked as a rubbish collector before turning professional. To put his number of Instagram followers into perspective: the entire population of his native Cape Verde is only a little over 500,000.

"I've lost my peace and tranquility," Vozinha told British newspaper The Observer.

"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."

In the first few weeks after signing for Colo Colo, Vozinha regularly went to a bakery in the wealthy Vitacura neighborhood of Santiago.

"I think it was good for him to go because he felt welcomed and was able to chat to people," Gustavo Cassin, the manager of the cafe called Metissage, tells AFP.

Cassin and Vozinha avoided discussing football. The player would talk longingly about his home country as he waited for his morning croissant.

- Will he stay? -

The past, when he combined playing with teaching beach volleyball, is now a distant memory.

"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," he told The Observer.

In Chile, media are speculating as to whether Vozinha will remain into 2027 -- he signed a six-month contract with Colo Colo extendable by a year only if he plays enough minutes.

He has faced criticism, with Chilean goalkeeping legend Claudio Bravo, formerly of Barcelona and Manchester City, questioning his ability.

"He has made several errors in situations that require coordination," said the ex-Chile captain. "And if you don't have coordination, you'll never do it."

Vozinha has a handful of games remaining before his contract runs out, and perhaps with it his Chilean adventure.