Few stories in football this year rival that of Vozinha. The 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper has officially been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper award), capping off an extraordinary few months for a player once considered a relative unknown.
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Vozinha: From Free Agent to Global Sensation
Vozinha’s rise began at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he became one of the tournament’s most beloved figures. His standout moment came against eventual champions Spain, where he made seven saves to help Cape Verde hold their group-stage opponents to a goalless draw. He followed that up with another clean sheet against Saudi Arabia, before a gutsy round-of-32 performance against Argentina, which ended 3-2 in extra time.
The exposure sent his social media following skyrocketing from under 100,000 to nearly 30 million on Instagram, making him one of the most followed goalkeepers in the world.
New Chapter at Colo-Colo
Following the World Cup, Vozinha signed with Chilean giants Colo-Colo, becoming the first player from the Chilean league to ever earn a Ballon d’Or goalkeeper nomination — and the first from Cape Verde in the award’s history.
Ballon d’Or Best Goalkeeper: The Full Shortlist
| Nominee | Club |
|---|---|
| Thibaut Courtois | Real Madrid |
| David Raya | Arsenal |
| Joan García | Barcelona |
| Unai Simón | Athletic Club |
| Gregor Kobel | Borussia Dortmund |
| Emiliano Martínez | Chelsea |
| Matvey Safonov | PSG |
| Yassine Bounou | Al-Hilal |
| Édouard Mendy | Al-Ahli |
| Vozinha | Colo-Colo |
While Vozinha is considered an outsider for the win, his nomination alone is being hailed as a landmark moment for Cape Verdean football.
For more World Cup and Ballon d’Or coverage, visit TechnoSports’ Football section.
