Josimar Dias, known to the football world as Vozinha, was born on June 3, 1986, and plays as a goalkeeper for Cape Verde.
He became a global sensation after his stunning performance against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His name also carries a surprising link to football legends from four decades ago.
Who is Vozinha (Josimar Dias)?
Vozinha is a Cape Verdean professional goalkeeper who plays for Portuguese second-division club GD Chaves. He is best known for his heroics in Cape Verde’s first ever FIFA World Cup match, a 0-0 draw against Spain on June 15, 2026.
That single performance turned a journeyman goalkeeper into a worldwide name overnight.
Before that match, only the most dedicated football fans had heard of him. Cape Verde is a tiny island nation off the coast of West Africa, and Vozinha had spent most of his career far from football’s biggest stages.
His real name is Josimar Dias, and there is a fascinating story behind it. He was named after a Brazilian football star from the 1986 World Cup, decades before anyone could have predicted his own World Cup moment.
Early Life of Josimar Dias
Josimar Dias was born in Mindelo, a coastal city on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. He grew up mostly under the care of his grandparents while his parents worked.
His father, Zé Pedro, gave him his first name. Zé Pedro wanted to name his son after Argentine striker Jorge Valdano, who shone at the 1986 World Cup alongside Diego Maradona.
A local registry official rejected that idea because foreign names were not allowed at the time. The family then turned to another player who had dazzled at that same tournament.
That player was Brazilian full-back Josimar, famous for two spectacular goals in Mexico 1986. As a result, the future Cape Verde goalkeeper was officially registered as Josimar Dias.
Josimar Dias Age
Josimar Dias is 40 years old as of 2026, born on June 3, 1986. He is still an active professional goalkeeper, currently playing for GD Chaves in Portugal.
Josimar Dias Ethnicity and Nationality
Josimar Dias holds Cape Verdean nationality and was born and raised in Mindelo. Cape Verde is a Portuguese-speaking island nation, and its culture blends West African and Portuguese roots.
His grandfather supported Brazil’s national team out of a deep love for football. That family connection to Brazilian football later shaped the story behind his own name.
Josimar Dias Religion
Josimar Dias has not publicly shared detailed information about his religious beliefs or faith. As of now, there is no verified source confirming his religion.
Like many public figures, he prefers to keep his personal and spiritual life private. Unless Josimar Dias chooses to discuss his religious views in interviews or on social media, any claims about his religion would be purely speculative.
Fans interested in learning more about his background should rely on official statements and verified sources for accurate information.
Josimar Dias Height and Weight
Josimar Dias stands at 1.89 meters, or 6 feet 2 inches tall. His height suits his position as a goalkeeper, giving him strong reach across the goal.
His exact weight has not been publicly disclosed by official sources. Goalkeepers at his height typically range between 80 and 90 kilograms, though no verified figure exists for him specifically.
Josimar Dias Career
Josimar Dias built a long and unglamorous career before his World Cup breakthrough. His journey spanned several countries over nearly two decades.
Early Career and Journeyman Years
Josimar Dias began playing for local Cape Verdean side Batuque FC before moving to city rivals CS Mindelense. He did not sign his first major professional contract until age 25.
From there, his path took him to Angola’s Progresso club, then to Zimbru Chișinău in Moldova. Later stops included Gil Vicente and AEL Limassol in Cyprus, plus AS Trenčín in Slovakia.
That long road eventually led him back to Portugal. Since 2024, he has played for GD Chaves in the Liga Portugal 2, the country’s second division.
International Career and AFCON Appearances
Josimar Dias made his debut for the Cape Verde national team on September 8, 2012. That match was a playoff win over Cameroon that sent his country to its first major tournament.
He has since represented Cape Verde at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, in 2013, 2015, 2021, and 2023. He has earned more than 80 caps for the team known as the Blue Sharks.
His younger brother, Delmiro, also played professionally and represented Cape Verde. Football clearly runs deep in the family.
World Cup 2026 Heroics
Cape Verde qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history. Few people expected the small island nation to compete with a powerhouse like Spain.
On June 15, 2026, in Atlanta, Josimar Dias delivered the performance of his life. He made seven crucial saves to preserve a stunning 0-0 draw against the heavily favored Spanish side.
The result instantly made him a global story. “I worked for all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream,” he said in a FIFA interview after the match.
Josimar Dias Career Stats and Records
Josimar Dias has earned more than 80 caps for Cape Verde since his 2012 debut. He has never scored a goal, which is typical for a goalkeeper of his standing.
His World Cup debut produced two remarkable records. At 40 years and 12 days old, he became the oldest goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep a clean sheet on his tournament debut.
His seven saves against Spain also stood out historically. Among goalkeepers over the age of 40 in World Cup history, only Pat Jennings made more saves in a single match, with ten against Brazil in 1986.
That comparison places him among an elite, if unlikely, group of veteran shot-stoppers.
Josimar Dias Awards and Recognition
Josimar Dias was named Player of the Match for his performance against Spain. The honor reflected his dominant display under heavy pressure from Spain’s attack.
He has not won major continental awards over his long club career. However, his World Cup debut alone has brought him more recognition than two decades of quiet journeyman football ever did.
Football writers and former players have praised his story widely since the match. Even Jorge Valdano, the man he was almost named after, publicly celebrated his achievement.
Josimar Dias Family
Josimar Dias was raised largely by his grandparents in Mindelo while his parents worked. That upbringing also explains his famous nickname, Vozinha.
As a boy, he often played rough street football with older kids. Whenever he came home upset, friends teased him for running to his grandmother, whom Cape Verdeans call “vozinha.”
The nickname stuck for the rest of his career. “I’m so grateful to my parents and grandparents,” he said after the match against Spain, according to CAF.
Both of his grandparents have since passed away. His younger brother, Delmiro, followed him into professional football and also played for Cape Verde’s national team.
There is no public information about a wife, girlfriend, or children. Josimar Dias has kept that part of his personal life private.
Josimar Dias Net Worth
Josimar Dias’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As a longtime second-division player, his fortune is likely far smaller than that of World Cup stars from bigger leagues.
His main income has come from club salaries across Angola, Moldova, Cyprus, Slovakia, and Portugal. International match fees and World Cup appearance bonuses from the Cape Verde Football Federation add to that total.
His viral fame could open new doors. Brand interest and sponsorship opportunities often follow players who capture global attention the way he did against Spain.
For now, no reliable source has published a specific net worth estimate for him.
Josimar Dias Social Media
Josimar Dias became a social media phenomenon within hours of his World Cup performance. His Instagram following reportedly grew from around 50,000 before the match to several million afterward.
That growth happened in a matter of hours, not days. Multiple outlets reported figures climbing past six million, with some counts reaching even higher by the next day.
He has not publicly shared official links for other platforms like X or YouTube. Most of his newfound online attention has centered on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Josimar Dias’s net worth?
Josimar Dias’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed.
How old is Josimar Dias?
Josimar Dias is 40 years old as of 2026.
What is Vozinha’s real name?
His real name is Josimar Dias, officially Josimar José Évora Dias.
Why is he called Vozinha?
His grandparents raised him, and friends teased him for going home to his “vozinha,” meaning granny.
What is Josimar Dias’s height?
He stands at 1.89 meters, or 6 feet 2 inches tall.
Where was Josimar Dias born?
He was born in Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde.
What is Josimar Dias famous for?
He is famous for his seven saves against Spain in Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup debut.
Does Josimar Dias have a wife or children?
No public information about a wife or children has been confirmed.
The Bottom Line
Josimar Dias spent nearly two decades as a journeyman goalkeeper before one match changed everything.
His performance against Spain at the 2026 World Cup turned Vozinha into a household name across the football world.
His story, tied to a Brazilian legend from 1986 and a nickname born from childhood teasing, shows that fame can arrive at any age.
We hope you enjoyed reading about Josimar Dias. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!