Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha gets emotional over missing family at World Cup

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha shared why he felt so emotional after his first FIFA World Cup game against Spain.

The veteran player helped Cape Verde draw 0-0 with Spain in Georgia. He made several key saves to keep Spain from scoring.

Vozinha won the Man of the Match award and made history as the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut. He is 40 years old.

Even with this achievement, Vozinha was very emotional after the match. He later said that he thought about his family members who could not be there with him.

He became a hero for Cape Verde by helping them secure a surprising 0-0 draw against Spain in Georgia. After the match, Vozinha was filled with emotion, making seven important saves.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Vozinha said he cried after the game because his grandparents passed away a few years ago and could not see him play on such a big stage.

He said, “I cried after the game because I was raised by my grandparents during my childhood, and they could not be there.

“They passed away a few years ago. My mother was also unable to attend due to a visa issue and the costs associated with it. We could not arrange this in time.”

This emotional moment highlighted a special night for Vozinha, who made seven saves to help Cape Verde earn a point in their first World Cup match.

Vozinha also set a record by becoming the oldest player to play in a nation’s first World Cup match. He broke the previous record held by Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Talking about being named Man of the Match, the Chaves goalkeeper said it was more than he expected.

“I never imagined anything like this,” Vozinha said about his Man of the Match honor in his World Cup debut.

He added, “I am incredibly proud to be named Man of the Match.”

Vozinha expressed pride in representing Cape Verde on such a big stage after the country’s tough journey to qualify.

“It is an honour to represent the country I cherish. We come from a very small place, and our journey to qualification was quite challenging. Today, our dream was realised by competing against a team like Spain. I take great pride in everyone who contributed to that process,” he said.

For Vozinha and Cape Verde, this draw marked a historic moment in the country's football story. The goalkeeper's performance will be remembered for a long time.