Vozinha extends Cape Verde career after World Cup and joins Colo-Colo

Vozinha is continuing his international career with Cape Verde after abandoning an initial plan to retire following the World Cup, the goalkeeper told The Observer. The 40-year-old has also joined Chilean club Colo-Colo having played for Chaves in Portugal's second tier before the tournament. He said he still felt capable of playing for his country.

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His decision follows a World Cup campaign that brought him widespread recognition. BBC Sport reported that Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a goalless draw on their tournament debut in June, with Vozinha central to keeping Spain out. Argentina later needed extra time to eliminate the island nation in the round of 32.

The attention extended well beyond the matches. According to BBC Sport, Vozinha's social-media following rose from roughly 50,000 to more than one million during the Spain game. His performances also brought a nomination for men's goalkeeper of the year at the Ballon d'Or awards, adding individual recognition to Cape Verde's progress at the tournament.

Speaking to The Observer from Lisbon, where he was preparing with Cape Verde for the start of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Vozinha said Colo-Colo had shown the strongest interest in signing him. He hopes to play in the Copa Libertadores. He said no offers had arrived from the United States, while contact from Saudi Arabia had produced nothing concrete.

BBC's account of the interview also described the personal cost of his new profile. Vozinha said restaurant visits now bring requests for photographs and autographs, as well as people filming him. Fans also visit his mother daily. Given a choice between his present circumstances and his previous life, he said he would prefer the latter.

Vozinha nevertheless hopes the attention can benefit Cape Verde. He told The Observer that the team's achievement belonged to the whole group and expressed a wish for its momentum to support national development and better living conditions. He also said he did not currently want commercial partnerships with tobacco, alcohol or betting brands.