Cape Verde goalkeeper Vazinha turns a World Cup stalemate into global fame

Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, Josimar Dias, known as Vazinha, became the evening’s breakout star after helping his team hold European champions Spain to a stunning 0-0 draw on Monday. The match was described as a moment when the World Cup can create heroes overnight, and Vazinha was the player who, above all, kept Cape Verde in the game.

His impact was reflected immediately off the field as well. Before kickoff, his Instagram account had about 50,000 followers, but by the end of the match it had surged to 1.5 million. What had been a little-known profile suddenly became one of the most followed accounts connected to the tournament.

Vazinha has made 90 appearances for Cape Verde and currently plays for Chaves in Portugal’s second division. Over his career, he has also played for Progresso in Angola, Zimbru Chișinău in Moldova, AEL Limassol in Cyprus, and Trenčín in Slovakia.

After one match, he was recast as a national hero and a globally recognized figure, with his fame now extending far beyond the pitch.