Vozinha

Club career

Early career

Vozinha began playing in the youth ranks of Atlântico on the Cape Verdian island of São Vicente, before progressing through the youth sides of Estoril, Académica do Mindelo, and Batuque. His senior career began with local side Ribeira Bote, followed by a spell at Derby, before he returned to play for Batuque, playing for them until 2011 before moving to local city rivals Mindelense.

Progresso do Sambizanga

In 2012, he was signed by Progresso do Sambizanga in Angola, remaining for three years until the expiration of his contract.

Return to Mindelense

In March 2015, Vozinha returned to Mindelense in the São Vicente Island League, signing for one year. He played all games in the successful Cape Verdean Championship campaign, excluding the final, having already begun finalizing a move abroad.

Zimbru Chișinău

In July 2015, he joined Moldovan National Division club Zimbru Chișinău.

Gil Vicente

Vozinha moved in August 2016 to Gil Vicente of the Liga Portugal 2, in which he saved five penalties in 32 games, including two against Casa Pia in the Taça de Portugal and two against Benfica B in the league. Although he still had a year remaining on his contract, he agreed to an early termination after his form attracted interest from Cyprus.

AEL Limassol

In June 2017, he joined Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol, brought in to replace the departing Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo. He quickly became a regular starter and featured in AEL's Europa League qualifying campaigns in 2017–18 and 2019–20. His main honour with the club was the Cypriot Cup of 2018–19; he made key saves across both legs of the semi-final against Apollon Limassol before starting the final, a 2–0 win over APOEL that ended a thirty-year wait for the trophy at AEL.

He signed a two-year contract extension in June 2019 following the cup win, with his deal later prolonged again to 2022. By March 2021, Cypriot media identified him as the goalkeeper with the most appearances and greatest longevity at AEL over the preceding decade; that season he had saved four of the eight penalties he faced. He remained with the club for five seasons in total, taking on a leadership role within the squad, before his contract expired on 1 June 2022.

Trenčín

After leaving Cyprus, Vozinha joined Slovak First League club Trenĉín in August 2022, signing for six months with an option for a further year. He found compatriots Kelvin Pires and Eynel Soares already in the squad. His early integration was slowed by a period of inactivity following an injury and competition from Michal Kukučka, but he gradually established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper and one of its senior figures. During the 2023–24 season he kept a clean sheet in thirteen matches and was credited with helping the club avoid relegation, while also being noted for mentoring its younger players. His time at Trenčín ended in July 2024, after 39 official appearances across two seasons.

Chaves

In July 2024, he returned to Portugal, signing for Liga Portugal 2 side Chaves. In the 2024–25 season he kept eleven clean sheets, a return the club described as the best of any goalkeeper in the competition, and he signed a contract renewal on 5 June 2025. He remained one of the squad's most experienced players and leaders through the following season. On 1 June 2026, approaching his 40th birthday and with his contract expiring, he announced his exit, closing out his second spell in Portuguese football.

Colo-Colo

On 25 July 2026, it was announced by Chilean Primera División club Colo-Colo that Vozinha was set to join the team on an 18-month contract. The club's president Aníbal Mosa stated "Vozinha will be a Colo-Colo player". Vozinha's flight to Chile scheduled for 28 July was delayed due to issues with his visa. It was postponed to 30 July, at which point Moroccan club RS Berkane made an unsuccessful attempt to hijack the transfer. On 1 August, the ANFP unanimously approved an exemption allowing Vozinha to wear his nickname on the back of his shirt, amending the league rule that previously required players to use only their surnames, following a request backed by Colo-Colo and other Primera División clubs. He arrived in Santiago on 2 August to a warm welcome from supporters before completing the move. On 3 August, Colo-Colo officially announced that Vozinha had signed his contract and become a new player of the club after completing his medical examination earlier that day. He joined on a six-month contract with an option to extend for one year.

International career

Early tournaments (2012–2021)

Vozinha made his debut for the Cape Verde national team in September 2012 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification playoff first leg at home to Cameroon, a 2–0 win. He remained in goal for the second leg in Yaoundé on 14 October, a 2–1 loss which saw Cape Verde qualify for its first major tournament. At the finals in South Africa, the team reached the quarterfinals before a 2–0 loss to Ghana. He conceded the second goal after going up for the throw-in in the lulling seconds to attack corner kick. The squad was received by thousands of supporters on their return to the archipelago, and the players and coaching staff were later honored by president Jorge Carlos Fonseca.

Vozinha also played at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, starting as Cape Verde drew all three group matches before being eliminated on goal difference behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 7 October 2020, he earned his 50th cap in a 2–1 friendly win away to Andorra, and in September 2021, on his 54th appearance, he became the second-most-capped player in national team history, moving ahead of Marco Soares and behind only Babanco. A year later he was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He was sent off in the 57th minute of the round-of-16 defeat versus Senegal, after colliding with Sadio Mané with Cape Verde already reduced to ten men.

2023 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification

After a period out of the squad, Vozinha returned to the national team in March 2023 and was called up once more to play in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde reached the quarterfinals of the tournament, eliminating Mauritania 1–0 in the round of 16 before losing to South Africa on penalties following a scoreless draw after extra time.

Vozinha also featured throughout Cape Verde's qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. On 13 October 2025, as captain, he started in a 3–0 win over Eswatini at the National Stadium in the final round-ten match of Group D, a result that secured Cape Verde's first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup. Vozinha described the achievement as the fulfilment of a dream shared by generations of Cape Verdean footballers. He was included in the squad announced for the tournament in May 2026.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Vozinha made his World Cup debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Cape Verde. In the side's first game, Vozinha saved seven shots, securing a 0–0 draw for Cape Verde against Spain, the eventual champion of the tournament. He won the Player of the Match Award for his performance. At 40 years and 12 days old, he became the oldest player to feature in a nation's first FIFA World Cup match – breaking the record that had been set by Curaçao's Eloy Room just a day earlier – and was also the ninth-oldest player to ever feature in the tournament. He also became the third-oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match, following Peter Shilton and Dino Zoff, and, in the process, moved into second-place among goalkeepers over 40 years old for most saves in a World Cup match on record (since 1966). He then kept his side level in a 2–2 draw with Uruguay, in which Cape Verde scored its first goals at the tournament. On 26 June, he kept another clean sheet in a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, helping his country qualify for the knockout stage as group runners-up, unbeaten through the group stage. In the Round of 32, Vozinha saved eight shots against defending champions Argentina, including a close-range effort from Lionel Messi, in a 3–2 loss in extra time. Vozinha's performance was lauded by fans and the media, and he was named a "hero" for Cape Verde. The team was welcomed home by hundreds of supporters after the tournament. Following the end of the tournament, Vozinha was voted into the Dream XI all-star team by fans.

Personal life

Vozinha's parents wanted to name him Valdano after Argentina player Jorge Valdano, but it was not permitted by Cape Verdean authorities. He was given his first name in honour of Josimar, a full-back for Brazil at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. As his father was in the military and his mother, Ana Évora, worked long hours, he was raised on São Vicente by his paternal grandparents; he has said he retained a close relationship with his mother, and with the island of Santo Antão, his parents' birthplace, which he continued to visit during holidays. Growing up on São Vicente without boys his own age to play with, he was often matched against older opponents; when he lost and complained to his grandparents, he was jokingly nicknamed Vozinha ("Granny"). He said that he played under his first name until he moved to Angola, where another goalkeeper was also called Josimar, prompting him to adopt Vozinha professionally.

Vozinha's younger brother, Delmiro, was also a Cape Verdean player and played for several clubs in the Cypriot Second Division. His other brother, Kleidir Dias, moved to Brazil to study theology and settled in Camaragibe, Pernambuco, where he works as a private mathematics tutor. Vozinha has named former São Paulo FC goalkeeper Rogério Ceni as one of his references at the position; after Cape Verde's World Cup debut, Ceni publicly sent him a message of congratulations and support.

Recognition

Vozinha's performance against Spain on Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup debut in 2026 brought him widespread international recognition. Following coverage by Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV and Portuguese broadcaster LivemodeTV, a fan campaign helped increase his Instagram following by over 17M within days of the match. As of July 2026, he had more than 29.5M followers, making him the most followed goalkeeper in the world.

The match also inspired other tributes. A newly identified species of sea slug from the genus Aldisa, discovered near Guadalupe Island, was named Aldisa vozinhai after him. Streets in the municipality of São Miguel, on the island of Santiago, were later named in his honour, and that of the Cape Verde national team's nickname, the Blue Sharks.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 13 September 2026

International

As of match played 3 July 2026

Honours

CS Mindelense

Cape Verdean Football Championship: 2015

AEL Limassol

Cypriot Cup: 2018–19

Individual

FIFA World Cup Dream XI: 2026