Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha, has become an unexpected internet sensation following his team's historic World Cup debut against Spain. After helping the underdog nation secure a stunning 0-0 draw against the European champions, Vozinha's Instagram following exploded from approximately 50,000 to over 1 million, reaching nearly 10 million within 24 hours. This surge surpasses the follower counts of NBA star Victor Wembanyama and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Vozinha attributed the massive increase to Brazilian streamer Casimiro Miguel, known as Cazé, and his popular YouTube channel CazéTV. During the broadcast of the match, Cazé noticed Vozinha's relatively low follower count and encouraged his audience to support the goalkeeper. CazéTV, which has over 31 million subscribers, is known for its informal and engaging approach to sports broadcasting.
Spain, considered one of the tournament favorites, was widely expected to defeat Cape Verde. However, Vozinha made crucial saves against Spain's potent attack, and his team's defense held firm. Vozinha, who began his professional career at age 25, was named man of the match for his performance. The result marked a significant achievement for Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup.
Separately, the U.S. State Department addressed an issue regarding Vozinha's mother's inability to attend the match in the United States due to visa difficulties. The department stated it had no record of her applying for a visa but was working with Cape Verdean authorities to resolve the situation. It clarified that all relatives of World Cup players affected by a $15,000 visa bond requirement would be exempt. A source familiar with the matter indicated that Vozinha's mother had not applied for a visa as she did not possess a valid Cape Verde passport, but is now in the process of obtaining one.
This phenomenon of a player gaining viral social media fame mirrors a similar instance last month with New Zealand defender Tim Payne, who saw his Instagram following rapidly increase after being highlighted by an Argentine influencer. FIFA has been actively working to engage younger audiences by expanding digital platforms and partnerships with services like TikTok and YouTube for the World Cup.
Vozinha expressed gratitude for the support, stating, "The Brazilians have always supported us. We felt it during our campaign to qualify for the World Cup and now we are feeling it again at the biggest stage. We are thankful for it."