Cape Verde’s Vozinha earns Player of Match in World Cup debut, joins oldest‑ever tournament goalkeepers

In the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, 40‑year‑old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha kept a clean sheet in a 0‑0 draw against Spain, earning the Player‑of‑the‑Match award and securing his nation’s first point. His age of 40 years and 12 days placed him among the ten oldest players ever to appear at a World Cup, overtaking former record‑holder Jim Leighton.

After the final whistle Vozinha broke down in tears, saying he was mourning his late grandparents and that his mother could not attend because a U.S. visa required a costly deposit. The emotional performance triggered a rapid rise in his social‑media following, surpassing two million Instagram followers within hours.