🇨🇻 Cabo Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha talks about how his life changed after his rise to celebrity status after the World Cup:
"I grew up in Cabo Verde chasing a professional football dream. The odds against an African kid on a small island remain brutal. You fight for visas. You train without real facilities. Our coaches gave us their heart, but they lacked tactical training. Talented players in my neighborhood missed the path to Europe because big clubs ignored our region.
My professional career started late, at twenty-five. Peers reached their peak while I started my grind. I worked multiple jobs to survive. I kept going because the game consumed me.
The tournament changed my life. The world used to ask where Cabo Verde was on a map. They know us now. That shift is the best thing to happen to our country. Before the cup, I lived an anonymous life. I cooked meals in the street and ate outside my front door. Now, people lose their minds when I walk down the sidewalk. The change feels chaotic. I miss the quiet, simple connection, but seeing our flag gain global respect makes the noise worth it.
I am forty now, and a free agent. People whisper about Miami and Messi. I want to play football for one or two more years. My body feels strong. My passion remains heavy. I need a team that wants my skill. I refuse to join a club as a marketing gimmick.
And for the fans asking: I am single."
