Vozinha
The Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) has granted a special exemption allowing Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to wear his famous nickname on the back of his Colo Colo shirt despite league regulations requiring players to use their legal names.
The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, signed a six-month contract with the Chilean giants on Monday following his outstanding performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ANFP rules generally prohibit the use of nicknames on playing shirts, but Colo Colo successfully appealed for an exception.
Speaking at his unveiling, Vozinha explained the personal significance of the name, which means “little granny” in Portuguese.
“It is the name I have used my entire life. In Cape Verde, it holds great significance and a rich history, and now it does globally as well,” he said. “If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to keep using it for the rest of my career as a tribute.”
Vozinha has become one of football’s most inspiring stories after helping Cape Verde enjoy a remarkable World Cup debut. The veteran goalkeeper played a key role as his country earned their first-ever World Cup point against Spain and reached the knockout stages, where they pushed eventual finalists Argentina to extra time.
His heroic displays earned him a place in FIFA’s Team of the Tournament and sparked a surge in popularity, with his Instagram following growing from around 50,000 to nearly 30 million.
After spells in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and Portugal, the experienced shot-stopper described his move to Chile’s most successful club as the pinnacle of his club career.
“The decision was very clear,” he said. “The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now. Representing Colo Colo, a massive club with a rich history, is the highlight of my club career.”
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