Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha Set to Fulfill Dream of Facing Argentina and Lionel Messi

Before the FIFA World Cup began, few football fans outside Cape Verde knew the name Vozinha. After a series of standout performances, however, the veteran goalkeeper has become one of the tournament's biggest breakout stars.

Cape Verde, a nation of fewer than 600,000 people, has enjoyed a historic World Cup campaign by reaching the Round of 32 for the first time. The team advanced from a difficult group that included Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha playing a key role in its success.

Vozinha first drew international attention after producing a string of impressive saves in Cape Verde's opening match against former world champion Spain, helping his team secure a scoreless draw. His performances have also boosted his popularity on social media, where his Instagram following has reportedly grown to more than 17 million.

Cape Verde now faces its toughest challenge of the tournament. On July 4, the team is scheduled to play defending world champion Argentina in the Round of 32.

For Vozinha, the match represents more than a World Cup knockout game—it is the fulfillment of a long-held personal dream.

Before the tournament, the goalkeeper said his biggest ambition was to play against Argentina, particularly against Lionel Messi, whom he considers the greatest footballer of all time.

"To me, Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time," Vozinha said before the World Cup. "I want to play against him. If I get the chance, I'd also like to collect his jersey."

He later added that facing Argentina would be "an incredible experience" and described the opportunity to play against Messi as a dream come true.

At the time, many viewed those comments as little more than a player's personal wish. Just weeks later, that dream is set to become reality after Cape Verde's remarkable run to the knockout stage.

Vozinha also has an unusual personal connection to Argentina. Although his official name is Josimar, his father originally wanted to name him "Valdano" in honor of Argentine World Cup winner Jorge Valdano, a member of Argentina's 1986 championship team. Local registration authorities reportedly did not approve the name, and it was never officially adopted.

While he never received the name, fate has now given Vozinha the opportunity to face the country that inspired it. The experienced goalkeeper, who has emerged from a small island nation to become one of the World Cup's most talked-about players, now prepares for the biggest match of his career against Argentina—and the player he has long admired, Lionel Messi.