Vozinha completes Colo-Colo move and opens up: 'I always knew I was a big-club player'

Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Evora Dias, known around the world simply as Vozinha, has officially joined Colo-Colo. The 40-year-old arrives at Chile's most successful club after becoming one of the stories of the World Cup. At his unveiling, Vozinha spoke less about the size of the transfer and more about what it meant to him personally. Most of his career was spent in lower leagues and smaller clubs, including Portuguese side Chaves, but he always believed he belonged on a bigger stage. 'The decision was clear. Even though I played in smaller leagues for clubs that were not giants, deep down I always told myself I was a big-club player. When Colo-Colo came calling, I didn't hesitate. I received many offers, but this club was always the priority,' he said. There was also a personal touch to the move. Chilean regulations normally require players to wear their official surnames on shirts, but the federation made an unprecedented exception for the goalkeeper, allowing him to keep 'Vozinha' on the back. In Portuguese, the word means 'grandmother.' For Vozinha, it is much more than a nickname. 'This is the name I have carried all my life. In Cape Verde, it has real meaning and a rich history, and now it is recognized around the world. If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to use this name until the end of my career as a tribute,' he stressed. His saves against Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina turned him into a global talking point and sent his social media following soaring to 30 million. The spotlight, though, has not shifted his focus. 'The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past. Playing at the World Cup came with huge pressure because I was facing the best national teams in the world. Now I just want to work hard and help this team reach its goals. Being here, representing Colo-Colo, a massive club with a rich history, is the highlight of my club career,' he added.