An unknown 40-year-old Vozinha became an overnight international sensation. On the world’s biggest soccer stage, FIFA, thousands of fans cheered him on. Yet, one voice was missing: his mother’s. 

However, the mother-son duo are up for a heartfelt reunion. The US has granted Ana Candida Evora, Vozinha’s mother a visa ahead of Vozinha’s second match. 

“Cabo Verde’s star 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother will travel to the U.S. to watch her son’s next World Cup game. She was not able to attend the first match because she could not afford the bond payment for a visa. The fees have now been waived and travel arranged,” Front Office Sports reported on June 17 in an X post. 

The second-division Portuguese goalkeeper from the humble Cape Verde island stunned everyone in a 0-0 tie with Spain last week in Atlanta. He made seven saves in Cape Verde’s first-ever FIFA game against the formidable Spain.

Vozinha’s mother could not be there son who is burdened by financial limitations. However, her son’s remarkable performance changed that.

On June 17, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that Evora is en route US. Jeffries shared that he appealed to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He “asked the State Department to do everything in their power to ensure that his mother can attend Cabo Verde’s next match.” 

“I thank Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the government of Cabo Verde and FIFA for working together to make this possible,” Jeffries said. 

He has emerged as an early hero of this World Cup but what is his story?

Vozinha Wins Hearts Globally With His Incredible Arch

Josimar José Évora Dias grew up with his grandparents and playing soccer on the streets of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente. He was up against players older, stronger and took many hits.

He was given the monicker Vozinha, which roughly translates to “Little Grandma,” for crying to his grandmother about these boys. He gave professional soccer a change at the age of 25.

In these past years, he faced many ups and downs, but one thing remained: the taunting voices calling him Vozinha. 

According to ESPN, Vozinha played in around 200 games. These stats have not counted his games acros clubs in Portugal, Cape Verde, Moldova, Angola, Cyprus and Slovakia. His FIFA performance was the first in his country’s history. 

He faced 27 shots, made seven saves, and cried his heart out as the man of the match. Vozinha proved it is never too late to start. From 56,000 Instagram followers to five million and now a whopping 13.2 million, fans across the world are eagerly awaiting his next game, for more reason than one.

Are you excited for his next game? Tell us in the comments!

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar