Colo Colo has officially announced the transfer of goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, who gained recognition during the 2026 World Cup representing Cape Verde. However, he did not arrive in Chile as anticipated.
Less than a week ago, Aníbal Mosa, president of Colo Colo, expressed pride in the acquisition, stating, “We are not bringing Vozinha for marketing purposes alone. He was one of the best goalkeepers at the last World Cup.”
Vozinha in Talks with RS Berkane
According to Brazilian newspaper “Globo,” Vozinha was scheduled to travel to Chile on Tuesday to finalize his contract with Colo Colo. His arrival was postponed first to Wednesday, then to Thursday, but he never made it.
The report indicates that the goalkeeper is now negotiating with RS Berkane, the Moroccan champions of 2025. He is a free agent after finishing his contract with the Portuguese club Chaves, where he played last season.
Nickname Issues Complicate Transfer
There had already been tensions between Vozinha and Colo Colo. Although Vozinha, meaning “Grandma,” is his nickname, the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) prohibits the use of nicknames on jerseys.
Players are allowed to wear only one of their surnames, and Vozinha’s real name is Josimar Évora Dias. This means he would need to choose between Évora and Dias, complicating the commercial aspect of his transfer.
Consequently, the shirt sales that Colo Colo anticipated from his signing could be adversely affected, putting the transfer in jeopardy.
From 50,000 to 30 Million Followers After World Cup Match
Vozinha gained immense fame during the World Cup with Cape Verde, a debutant team that surprisingly reached the Round of 16. The island nation, with a population of around 530,000, nearly created one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history against Argentina, losing 2-3 after extra time.
His standout performance in the opening match against Spain, which ended in a 0-0 draw, led to a staggering increase in his Instagram followers—from nearly 50,000 to almost 30 million!
