Josimar José Évora Dias is 40 years old and has a nickname that sounds like a grandpa’s: Vozinha. No one outside Cabo Verde knew him until this year, when he became the best goalkeeper at the World Cup.
His profile became well known in football and led to him signing for Colo-Colo, but now he has added a new achievement to his career: he will compete for the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best goalkeeper, alongside names such as Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez and Thibaut Courtois.
Vozinha was moved and made it clear on Instagram that this award is not a personal achievement, but the result of the efforts of many people: “There are moments that seem too big… until the day we realize that the entire journey was worth it. Today, seeing my name among the Ballon d’Or nominees is difficult to put into words”
“This nomination isn’t just mine. I carry San Vicente, Cabo Verde, and an entire people with me who never stopped believing. I remember where I come from, everything I’ve been through, the sacrifices, the hardships, and everyone who walked alongside me”, said the most beloved goalkeeper of 2026.