Cape Verde's Vozinha Says World Cup Fame Cost Him Privacy
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who became a global name at the World Cup, says he misses the anonymity he had before his heroics.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has spoken about the personal cost of his sudden rise to global fame following the World Cup. The 40-year-old, who helped his country hold Spain to a goalless draw on their tournament debut in June, said he has lost the peace and tranquillity of his previous life. He told the Observer that he now has little privacy, with people constantly asking for photos, autographs or filming him when he goes out.
Vozinha's profile exploded during that match against Spain, with his social media followers jumping from around 50,000 to over one million. His reputation grew further when Argentina needed extra time to eliminate Cape Verde in the round of 32. The performances earned him a nomination for men's goalkeeper of the year at the Ballon d'Or awards.
The effects have extended to his family. After he revealed his mother could not afford a visa to attend his World Cup debut, US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced the fee had been waived. Vozinha now says fans visit his mother daily to talk or take photographs with her.
Reflecting on his new reality, Vozinha said many people desire fame but only see its positive side. He stated that if given the choice between his current life and the one he had before, he would choose the latter. He also stressed that Cape Verde's achievements were a collective effort and expressed hope that the momentum could be used to develop the country and improve living conditions for its people.
Cape Verde, a West African island nation of 525,000 people, made history with its World Cup showing. Vozinha's comments highlight the contrasting reactions to sudden stardom: while supporters celebrate the team's accomplishments, the goalkeeper himself mourns the loss of his anonymity.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
