Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Vozinha, wasn’t very eager to talk about it on Thursday, but eventually admitted he was incredibly happy that his mother had finally gotten a U.S. visa and would be there to watch him play against Uruguay in the World Cup this weekend. The 40-year–old has become one of the standout players of the tournament after his outstanding performance in the match helped Cape Verde secure a surprising 0-0 draw with the European champions, Spain, in Atlanta.
After the game, Vozinha was emotional because his grandparents, who raised him, had passed away, and his mother, Ana Candida Evora, hadn’t been able to see his performance due to the high costs of obtaining a visa. However, after his heartfelt comments about the situation went viral on social media, the U.S. Department took action, and on Thursday, officials confirmed that Evora had received approval to travel.
The Blue Sharks are set to play their second World Cup group match on Sunday, and Evora, who is traveling from Cape Verde’s capital, Praia, to the U.S., will now be in the stands at Miami Stadium. Vozinha told reporters at the team‘s training camp, “For me, this is very important because all my family always supports me in everything. And to have her here, for me, it’s something special. My father is also here and my brother, so I am very happy. I wish I could bring more, maybe my brothers and sisters and nephews, but I think sometimes it’s difficult.”
Cape Verde was among several countries whose citizens had to post bonds up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.
under President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, but that requirement was later relaxed for World Cup ticket holders. With help from a Brazilian TV station, Vozinha’s performance in Atlanta drastically increased his Instagram followers, rising from 50,000 before Monday’s match to 13.7 million by Thursday.
Vozinha, who was surrounded by Cape Verdeans wanting selfies before training, preferred to keep a low profile as the squad prepared for their next match against Uruguay, another former World Cup-winning team. He said, “I’ve always been a focused person. Of course, it’s not easy to manage all of this, but I try not to get too involved in it and to spend as little time as possible on the phone and on social media.”
He added, “Because I am here because of the national team, because of football, because of the World Cup.
It’s a dream I’ve had since childhood, and now I’m living it. I don’t think there can be anything more important than that to distract me from my focus. I’m very grateful for everything, but please let‘s speak about football.”
Vozinha, who is currently without a club after his contract with Portuguese second–division team Chaves expired, said that the squad had not fully achieved their goals by drawing with Spain. He said, “We are here to compete. I don’t think we can set the bar unrealistically high, because we know we are from a small country, a small national team. But we have a lot of quality, and we are ambitious.”
When asked if Vozinha’s newfound fame was becoming a distraction for the team, Cape Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte said everyone was delighted for the goalkeeper. He said, “Vozinha is a very good guy. We’re all happy for him. I think this one match changed his life. So, no, it’s more of a thing of happiness, and it shows what the World Cup can do, and I think that’s it. We’re just happy for him.”
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