Vozinha Says World Cup Fame Cost Him Privacy and Peace

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has spoken about the downsides of his rapid rise to global fame after standout performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 40-year-old shot-stopper became one of the tournament's breakout figures by helping Cape Verde earn a historic 0-0 draw against Spain in their opening match. Vozinha made seven saves against the European champions, drawing widespread acclaim and attracting millions of new social media followers. His Instagram following rose sharply after the game, transforming a previously little-known goalkeeper into an international football sensation. But the attention has come at a personal cost, and Vozinha admitted that he misses the quieter life he had before his World Cup breakthrough. 'Ive lost my peace and tranquillity,' Vozinha told 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 theres always someone who wants to take a photo with me or asks me for an autograph. Or, worse, someone is filming me. Thats what has changed most in my life, and I dont think theres anything I can do about it.' 'To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the life I had before, Id choose the one I had before. A lot of people want to be famous and have a public profile, but they only see the positive side of that reality.' Cape Verde became fan favourites worldwide during their extraordinary run to the last 32, where they took Argentina to extra time and lost. The Atlantic islanders were the smallest nation ever to compete at a World Cup. The 40-year-old has since signed for Colo-Colo, Chile's most successful club.