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Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, 'Vozinha', a standout figure at the 2026 World Cup, stated this Tuesday that it is an "honor" to play for Colo Colo and that he feels grateful for "everything that happened" at the World Cup, during his presentation as a new signing for the leader of the Chilean league.
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"For me, it is a pleasure and an honor to be here, and I want to thank Colo Colo for the opportunity to play for such a big team and in such a competitive championship," he said during his press conference at the Estadio Monumental, after arriving in Santiago this past Sunday.
Colo Colo, the team with the most local titles (34) and the only Chilean champion of the Copa Libertadores (1991), is the biggest club the Cape Verdean has signed with, following stints at Progresso do Sambizanga (Angola), Zimbru (Moldova), Gil Vicente (Portugal), AEL Limassol (Cyprus), and AS Trencin (Slovakia).
The African player reflected on his experience with Cape Verde at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, after which he was included in the World Cup best XI revealed by FIFA based on fan votes, thanks to his saves against eventual champions Spain and against Argentina in the round of 16.
"For us, it was much more than football; we were representing a country. It was always something I dreamed of as a child, and I knew the World Cup could do many great things for me, and I am grateful for everything that happened," he assured.
"The World Cup didn't just change my life, but all of Cape Verde's. It has been positive, but I will continue to be the same Vozinha, the Josimar of always. I love football and for me, it comes first; other things come later."
"I am from a small country where opportunities are very few, almost non-existent, but it is a people of great struggle and resilience. For me, symbolizing that is very important so that children can have opportunities not only in football but in all areas of life," he replied to EFE.
The 40-year-old footballer became a global interest, reaching nearly 30 million new followers on Instagram.
Vozinha will use his nickname on his jersey with the number 29, as the '1' he wore with the Cape Verde national team at the World Cup, which made him world-famous, belongs to starting goalkeeper Fernando de Paul, who is injured.
"It is a name that was given to me when I was little; I have used it since I started playing football, and using another name for me was a bit confusing," he confessed regarding the approval of the Chilean league, which does not allow the use of nicknames.
The contract he signed on Monday is for six months, with the possibility of a twelve-month renewal until 2027, after arriving as a free agent following the conclusion of his contract with Chaves in the Portuguese second division.
"Despite always playing in smaller championships and for clubs that weren't very big, I always thought of myself as a big-team player, so when Colo Colo, the biggest in Chile, appeared, there were no doubts," he confessed.
The club will welcome the player on Wednesday night in front of the fans at their stadium, which has a capacity of 42,000, while the date of his debut is not yet official.
It is speculated that it will happen on August 16 against O’Higgins, for matchday 19, when the 'Albos' play at home, ahead of the superclásico of Chilean football against Universidad de Chile.
"In football, there is no pressure; pressure is when you are sick, or someone in your family is, or when you don't have something to eat. I know the fans always want to be the best, and we players work every day to be well. I intend to work to help the club achieve its goals," he said.
The goalkeeper stated that "all my life and my career I learned to compete, I am here to compete, in a few days I will be better because I am coming from the World Cup and the season was very long, I am ready to help Colo Colo."
[Publicidad]