Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has admitted his life has changed dramatically since his breakout performances at the FIFA World Cup, saying his newfound fame means he can’t do some things anymore.
The 40-year-old became one of the tournament’s surprise stars after producing a string of outstanding performances, beginning with a clean sheet in Cape Verde’s shock goalless draw against Spain.
He followed that with impressive displays against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia before Cape Verde’s historic campaign ended in an extra-time defeat to Argentina in the Round of 32.
His performances turned him into an overnight sensation, with his Instagram following soaring from about 50,000 before the tournament to more than 27 million.
Speaking to CBS News, Vozinha said the attention has transformed his daily life.
“I’m very grateful and very happy for everything that happened in my life. I never expected any of this. It’s been crazy, insane.
“Football has always allowed me to be around people, but this level of recognition is something I never imagined.
“In Cape Verde, we love welcoming people. We can cook outside our homes and eat together in the street. Now I can’t always do that anymore,” he said.
Despite the loss of privacy, Vozinha believes the attention has had a positive impact on his country.
“I’m happy because before, whenever we said we were from Cape Verde, people would ask, ‘Where is that?’ Now they know our country. I think that’s the best thing that could happen.”
Off the pitch, Vozinha is also planning the next step in his career after leaving Portuguese second-tier side Chaves when his contract expired.
Rather than chasing commercial opportunities following his rise to global fame, the experienced goalkeeper says he wants one final football challenge before retirement.
“I want to keep playing for at least another one or two years, depending on how my body feels,” he said.
“I hope I can find a club that wants me because I’m a football player, not because I’m a marketing person.”
Vozinha also hopes Cape Verde’s memorable World Cup run will open doors for the next generation of players from the island nation.
“There has always been talent in Cape Verde, but players rarely had the opportunity to go to Europe or be seen by bigger clubs,” he said.
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