Vozinha, 40, was unknown outside Portugal’s second division six months ago, where he played for Chaves. Everything changed at the World Cup. His Player of the Match performance — seven saves to keep a clean sheet in Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain in their opening game — made him a worldwide star. Before that game, his Instagram had 56,000 followers.
By full-time, it had passed one million after Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV urged viewers to follow him. By the end of the tournament, where Cape Verde went unbeaten in the group stage and took Lionel Messi’s Argentina to extra-time in a 3-2 defeat, his following surged past 20 million.
Also Read: Cape Verde Goalkeeper Now World’s Most Followed Goalkeeper on Instagram with Over 20m Followers Speaking to The Observer in an exclusive interview, Vozinha said fame has become a burden.
The goalkeeper added: “To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the one I had before, I’d choose the one I had before.” He also revealed the fame has affected his family, with fans showing up daily at his mother’s house in Cape Verde asking for photos.
Vozinha, now at Chilean giants Colo-Colo after leaving Chaves as a free agent, said he has rejected many commercial offers and will not work with tobacco, alcohol or sports betting brands.