Fundraiser for Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha’s Mother

A fundraising effort has been initiated to help bring the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to the FIFA World Cup. Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, disclosed that his mother was unable to attend his team’s historic match against Spain due to visa costs.

Despite the challenges, Vozinha became a standout star following his performance in Cape Verde’s remarkable 0-0 draw against favorites Spain. The 40-year-old keeper revealed in a post-match interview that his mother missed the event due to both the expense and timing required to secure a visa.

“My mum could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it. We did not manage to do this in time,” Vozinha said, as reported by The Athletic.

The Impact of Vozinha’s Story

Vozinha’s story highlights the tournament’s focus on underdog teams and personal challenges, resonating with global audiences affected by similar travel issues. This human-interest aspect of the World Cup has sparked widespread empathy.

Fundraising Campaign Details

In response to Vozinha’s revelations, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Bring Vozinha’s mum to the World Cup” was launched. Social media users quickly supported the fundraiser, aiming to raise over $11,000.

Vozinha shared his emotional background, stating, “I cried because I was raised by my grandparents, and today they are no longer here; they passed away a few years ago. They meant everything to me.”

Rise in Popularity After Spain Match

Cape Verde held Spain scoreless in a surprising tournament upset, with Vozinha making seven key saves and named Man of the Match during his nation’s debut on the World Cup stage. Spain ranks second globally, whereas Cabo Verde ranks 67th according to FIFA rankings.

Vozinha’s global popularity surged as his Instagram followers jumped from 40,000 to nearly 6 million, thanks to fans celebrating his performance and personal story.

Vozinha’s Personal Reflection

Despite newfound fame, Vozinha’s heartfelt reaction struck a chord among viewers. Raised by his deceased grandparents, he spoke of their absence and his mother’s missed opportunity to attend the match.

Vozinha reflected, “I would tell 18-year-old Vozinha to be really proud of himself. He worked a lot… after this game, I can tell my younger version that it was all worth it.”

His situation underscores the travel challenges faced by players’ families during the World Cup, although Vozinha hasn’t detailed the specific visa issues his mother encountered.