Goalkeeper Vozinha — the 40‑year‑old shot‑stopper who captured international attention during Cape Verde’s first World Cup campaign — made his much‑anticipated debut for Chilean powerhouse Colo‑Colo on Wednesday in a Copa Chile fixture against Unión Española.
High profile arrival, delayed start
Colo‑Colo announced Vozinha’s signing on July 24, but administrative paperwork and personal matters meant the veteran did not touch down in South America until Aug. 2. Those delays, which caused concern among supporters and club staff, kept him from joining matchday squads until very recently.
Since arriving, Vozinha — whose birth name is Josimar Évora Dias — has been included in the squad for three matches, including the recent Superclásico against Universidad de Chile at the National Stadium, though he remained on the bench for that high‑profile fixture.
Competition rather than coronation
Colo‑Colo currently sit comfortably atop the domestic table with a reported 13‑point advantage over Universidad de Chile. But despite his World Cup reputation, Vozinha has not been promised first‑team status. With regular keeper Fernando De Paul sidelined by injury, the club’s 19‑year‑old academy product Gabriel Maureira has seized the opportunity and is firmly established between the posts after a lauded performance in the Superclásico.
"It's going to be a great competition between Vozinha, Gabriel, and the others who are here,"
The coach reiterated that a headline name would not alter selection policy: players would earn minutes on merit. That directive sets the tone for what is likely to be a genuine battle for the starting jersey rather than an automatic handover to the World Cup veteran.
From World Cup nights to Chilean afternoons
Vozinha arrives on the back of a distinguished World Cup showing, having been central to Cape Verde’s campaign as they reached the knockout stages. He produced important saves in matches against Uruguay, eventual champions Spain and Argentina, helping his nation into the round of 32 before they were eliminated.
The dramatic spike in his global profile is reflected in social media figures: his following reportedly climbed from just under 50,000 before the tournament to well over 29 million afterwards. That meteoric rise has intensified interest in how he will adapt to Chilean club football and life at one of South America’s most storied institutions.
- Age: 40
- Real name: Josimar Évora Dias
- Signing announced: July 24
- Arrival in Chile: Aug. 2
- Recent matches included in squad: Three, including the Superclásico
A small table summarises the key facts surrounding the transfer and its immediate aftermath.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 40 |
| Full name | Josimar Évora Dias |
| Signing announced | July 24 |
| Arrival in Chile | Aug. 2 |
| Social media following | From just under 50,000 to over 29 million |
For Colo‑Colo, the immediate calculus is practical: the squad must continue to accumulate points while managing injuries and squad rotation. For Vozinha, the challenge is personal — to translate World Cup form into consistent club performances and to displace a young keeper who has already won the confidence of supporters and coaching staff.
As the season progresses, the situation will bear watching. A World Cup‑year rise to global prominence does not guarantee domestic supremacy, and the coming weeks will determine whether Vozinha’s transfer becomes a defining chapter in the twilight of a long career or a footnote to a younger goalkeeper’s breakout season.
