Cape Verde’s Vozinha Joins Colo Colo Amid Warm Welcome

The goalkeeper known for Cape Verde’s historic World Cup performance, Vozinha, has arrived in Chile to join Colo Colo. At 40 years old, he attracted attention through his exceptional skills at the World Cup, holding the eventual champion, Spain, scoreless.

Following delays due to documentation issues and personal matters, Vozinha’s move was uncertain until his arrival at Santiago’s airport. He greeted enthusiastic fans who had gathered with flags and chants at 8:35 p.m. local time.

Vozinha’s participation with the Cape Verde team brought him immense fame. He became the oldest player to debut in a World Cup and impressed spectators with saves against Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina.

The Chilean club Colo Colo announced Vozinha’s signing on July 24. The deal includes a six-month contract, with a possible extension for another year. On Monday, he will undergo medical exams before officially signing. Training is set to begin Tuesday, accompanied by an official presentation.

In a notable move, the Chilean Football Federation amended regulations allowing Vozinha to wear his famous nickname on his jersey. This change was necessary since league rules required players to use only their surnames. Vozinha, meaning “grandma” in Portuguese, will now be visible on the field.

His impactful World Cup performance garnered him significant social media attention, boosting his Instagram followers to over 29.5 million.

Fans see Vozinha’s arrival as a key asset in strengthening Colo Colo’s campaign for the Chilean championship and enhancing the club’s continental ambitions. His performance and dedication are anticipated to bring positive outcomes to the team and wider recognition to Chilean football.

Supporters, including Marcos Antonio Barrera and Sebastián Paredes, express excitement for the team’s prospects in national and South American competitions, such as the Copa Libertadores.