Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha recently spoke to French media outlet L'Équipe. In the interview, the 40-year-old reflected on his upbringing and professional career, recalling his childhood, the challenges of pursuing a career in football, and his emotions after helping Cape Verde qualify for the World Cup for the first time. He also discussed his World Cup performance, his nomination for the Golden Glove (Goalkeeper of the Year) award, and his plans to establish a goalkeeper academy.
Please send the fourth part of the interview, and I’ll edit it for grammar, fluency, and clarity while preserving all facts, names, numbers, HTML tags, attributes, and URLs.
Q: Is it hard to believe that an unknown player who was recently looking for a new club is now, just weeks later at the age of 40, participating in promotional shoots for the new Spider-Man film?
All of this truly exceeded my expectations.
I was simply focused on preparing for the World Cup and hoping to perform well.
I knew my life would change, but I never imagined how much.
Clubs from several countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, and Mexico, contacted me.
Ultimately, I chose Colo Colo in Chile.
I wanted to play for a big club that could compete for major trophies.
Q: You were named on the 10-person shortlist for Goalkeeper of the Year, with the winner to be announced at the Golden Ball ceremony in London on October 26. What does this mean to you?
Many people might think it's unfair, and I share that view to some extent.
When I first heard I had been nominated, I thought it was just a joke.
I say this because I have immense respect for the excellent goalkeepers playing for top teams in the world's top leagues. I know how outstanding they are.
Therefore, I see this nomination as another honour for the entire nation of Cape Verde.
As a player and as a person, I consider receiving such an honor at this stage of my career a gift from destiny.
I want to thank everyone who shortlisted me.
Q: If you could vote, who would you choose?
(After a brief hesitation) Everyone deserves this award. It's too difficult to choose just one person.
Q: Which goalkeepers did you admire as a child, and how did they inspire your football dreams?
My first idol was Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud'homme.
I was only 8 years old during the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where he performed exceptionally well.
Moreover, he played for Benfica, a team I have always loved.
Later, I came to admire Gianluigi Buffon. His goalkeeping performances were unique.
I also really liked Edwin van der Sar. Like me when I was young, he often did incredible things with his feet.
Q: Now, like them, everyone recognizes you when you walk down the street.
(Sighs) Wherever I go now, people recognize me. I can no longer go out as easily as I used to.
I am grateful for everyone's attention and affection, but the attention can sometimes feel overwhelming.
People want to express their love and respect, but they do not always consider my feelings. Some even approach me without permission or constantly pester me to talk.
Others even film me while I’m eating.
I want to please everyone, but that’s impossible.
I miss my old life, my privacy, peaceful days, and the freedom to walk down the street without anyone recognizing me.
I always feel as though I’m under constant scrutiny. It’s not easy to accept such a change.
However, I try to focus on the positive side of it. As soon as I step onto the football field, which is what I value most, I can forget everything around me.
Then I feel happy.
Q: What kind of life do you hope to lead after your playing career ends?
I definitely think I can play for another two to three years.
(He signed a 6-month contract with Colo Colo, with an option to extend it for another year.)
I still have some unfulfilled dreams, one of which is to play in the next Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027. Cape Verde are in a qualifying group with Mali, Rwanda, and Liberia.
I had originally decided that the World Cup would be my last competition for the national team. But the new national team coach, Humberto Bettencourt, wants me to keep playing.
I still have the motivation and passion.
After I retire, I hope to establish a goalkeeping academy in Cape Verde. I also hope to encourage more people to invest in Cape Verde and help those living in difficult conditions.
One thing is certain: I will not leave the world of football.
Q: If you could say a few words to your 20-year-old self, what would you say?
I would tell him to continue along the path he has always followed.
Stay humble and disciplined, work hard, and never give up.
If your grandparents could see what you’ve achieved today, what do you think they would say to you?
They would probably say: "We love you and are incredibly proud of you. We are happy to see how you have grown into the wonderful person you are today."
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