‘Little Grandpa’ keeper at 40 frustrates Spain as Cape Verde impresses at World Cup 2026

Cape Verde are making life difficult for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, and a major reason is veteran goalkeeper Josimar Jose Abarca Dias, better known as Vozinha. At 40, one of the tournament’s oldest players, he has stood between the posts and produced several important saves against the European champions.

Vozinha’s nickname, which means “little grandpa,” dates back to his childhood on the island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde. As a small boy who often took hard knocks in local games, he would run after matches to his grandmother. The name stuck, and it eventually became the identity by which he is known throughout football.

His path to the global stage was long and modestly built. He started out at Batuque and Mindelense in Cape Verde, then played for Progresso in Angola, Zimbru Chisinau in Moldova, AEL Limassol in Cyprus, Trencin in Slovakia, and later Gil Vicente and Chaves in Portugal.

Alongside his club career, Vozinha became an important figure for the Cape Verde national team, and his performance against Spain adds another striking chapter to an unusual and enduring career.