‘We made the right person famous,’ says Cape Verde’s backup goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos.
Cape Verde entered the FIFA World Cup as rank outsiders. By the end of their extraordinary campaign, the small island nation had emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprise packages and most inspiring success stories.
With a population of just over 500,000, the Blue Sharks had already made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup. But simply qualifying was never their goal. They arrived determined to show that belief, discipline and fearless football could outweigh reputation and pedigree.
Stunning campaign
Cape Verde captured global attention with an unbeaten run in Group H, earning hard-fought draws against European champions Spain, two-time world champions Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to book a place in the Round of 32.
Cape Verde’s fairytale run came to an end against tournament favourites Argentina, but not before delivering one of the FIFA World Cup’s most unforgettable matches.
The Blue Sharks twice came from behind to draw level, pushing Lionel Messi’s side into extra time before a heartbreaking 111th-minute own goal sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory for Argentina. Despite the defeat, Cape Verde left the tournament with their heads held high, earning widespread admiration for their fearless performances and remarkable World Cup journey.
Unforgettable campaign
At the heart of Cape Verde’s remarkable World Cup run was veteran goalkeeper Josimar Dias, better known as Vozinha.
The 40-year-old produced a series of outstanding displays throughout the tournament, including a seven-save masterclass in a memorable goalless draw against Spain. He was equally impressive against Argentina, frustrating one of the competition’s most potent attacks for much of the match and coming agonisingly close to helping Cape Verde pull off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
His heroics transformed him from a relatively little-known goalkeeper into one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
The impact extended well beyond the pitch. Vozinha’s Instagram following surged from around 50,000 before the World Cup to more than 27 million afterwards, making him one of the competition’s biggest social media success stories.
Speaking to CBS News, Vozinha said he remains humbled by the remarkable journey that has transformed both his life and the profile of his country.
“I’m very grateful and very happy for everything that has happened in my life,” he said. “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.”
The 40-year-old admitted that his newfound fame has changed aspects of his daily life.
“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. But 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.”
A lifelong dream
Vozinha said becoming a professional footballer had always been his ambition, but growing up in Cape Verde meant overcoming significant challenges on the road to achieving that dream.Speaking to CBS News, Vozinha said he remains humbled by the remarkable journey that has transformed both his life and the profile of his country.
“I’m very grateful and very happy for everything that has happened in my life,” he said. “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.”
The 40-year-old admitted that his newfound fame has changed aspects of his daily life.
“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. But 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.”
A lifelong dream
Vozinha said becoming a professional footballer had always been his ambition, but growing up in Cape Verde meant overcoming significant challenges on the road to achieving that dream.
Reflecting on his journey, Vozinha said his dream of becoming a professional footballer began in childhood, despite the limited opportunities available in Cape Verde.
“Since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a professional player,” he said.
He explained that talented players from the island nation often face significant barriers to reaching the global stage.
“In our country, the opportunities are very small. We are African, we are Cape Verdean, and first you have to fight for visas. Even though we have a lot of talent, it’s difficult because nobody is watching you. We don’t have the facilities or the conditions that bigger countries have.”
Vozinha believes the World Cup has changed that perception.
“There has always been talent in Cape Verde, but players rarely had the opportunity to go to Europe or be seen by bigger clubs. Now everybody is watching.”
Despite emerging as one of the tournament’s biggest breakout stars, Vozinha said his focus remains firmly on football rather than the fame that has followed.
Vozinha said he hopes to continue playing for at least another year or two, provided his body allows him to compete at the highest level.
“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.”
‘We made the right person famous’
Cape Verde’s second-choice goalkeeper, CJ Dos Santos, said the worldwide recognition Vozinha has received could not have gone to a more deserving teammate.
“We started the tournament with about 500,000 people in the country, and it turned out to be maybe billions around the world supporting us,” said the San Diego FC goalkeeper.
“You could truly feel the love and support that we were gaining as the tournament progressed.”
Dos Santos said Cape Verde’s remarkable World Cup run not only captured the imagination of football fans worldwide but also shone a long-overdue spotlight on Vozinha, whose performances embodied the team’s resilience and humility.
Looking back on Cape Verde’s dramatic defeat to Argentina, Dos Santos described it as one of the greatest matches he has ever witnessed.
“By far the greatest game I’ve had the privilege of watching live,” he said. “Probably one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen. The back and forth, both teams competed so intensely. It was incredible to be part of.”
He also paid tribute to Vozinha, describing the veteran goalkeeper as not only an outstanding player but also an inspirational leader whose recognition was richly deserved.
“We made the right person famous,” Dos Santos said.
Dos Santos said the global spotlight had not changed Vozinha’s character, praising the veteran goalkeeper for remaining grounded despite his newfound fame.
“He was one of the best players and mentors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. The man he was before the tournament and the man he was afterwards are exactly the same.
“He’s humble, fun-loving and a leader both on and off the pitch. They definitely made the right person famous.”
Dreams can become reality
Although Cape Verde’s remarkable World Cup journey ended in the knockout stage, its legacy is expected to endure long after the tournament.
For aspiring footballers across the island nation, the Blue Sharks’ historic run has become powerful proof that dreams once thought impossible can be achieved. Their success has inspired a new generation to believe that talent, determination and resilience can carry them onto football’s biggest stage.
Dos Santos said Cape Verde’s remarkable World Cup run has reshaped his own ambitions, proving that goals once considered out of reach can become reality.
“It gives me another reason to work even harder now,” he said. “It puts things into perspective and makes things seem more attainable than they were before.”
Cape Verde may have left the FIFA World Cup without lifting the trophy, but the Blue Sharks departed with something equally meaningful — the admiration of football fans around the world and the belief that even the smallest nations can dream big, compete fearlessly and inspire millions on football’s greatest stage.
