The 40-year-old Vozinha is now preparing to face Messi and his teammates in the World Cup round of 32 after advancing to the knockout stage, in their historic, first appearance in the world’s premier soccer tournament.

The veteran goalkeeper, who put in a stunning performance against the Spanish—keeping them scoreless to earn a point against the “Furia Roja”— Cape Verde, is now looking for a new team!

Until recently, he was a member of Chaves, in Portugal’s second division, however, he has announced that he is now a free agent and would ideally like to play at a much higher level. He believes in himself, wants a new challenge, and since fate has prepared such a great summer for him in 2026, he intends to make the most of it.

Those tears after the game against Spain, his key plays, the way people started seeking him out, and finally the Cape Verde national team’s qualification for the World Cup knockout stage—all of this has made quite an impression on him.

“I’m open to anything; let’s see what comes up…” he emphasized, having already become a hero to the 500,000 residents of his homeland and now joined by his mother, who managed to secure a visa to travel to the U.S. and cheer on her son in person.

*photo source: AP