Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha's Instagram followers surge to 15 million during World Cup

Cape Verde’s 40‑year‑old goalkeeper, Vozinha, featured in the nation’s debut at the FIFA World Cup. He kept a clean sheet against Spain and helped his side draw 2‑2 with Uruguay, earning Cape Verde their first point in each match.

Following his performances, his Instagram following exploded from roughly 50,000 to about 15–16 million – a rise of more than 300 times – drawing worldwide attention on social media. The surge was highlighted as remarkable given Cape Verde’s population of just around half a million.

The rapid increase was reported by Japanese media, underscoring the global reach of the tournament and the player’s unexpected rise to internet fame.