The Chilean Football Federation has approved an exception allowing Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to wear his well-known nickname on his Colo Colo jersey despite league regulations that normally prohibit nicknames on playing shirts.
The 40-year-old completed a six-month move to the Chilean Liga de Primera club earlier this week after attracting worldwide attention with his performances at the World Cup. Instead of appearing under his legal name, Josimar Jose Evora Dias, he will continue using the name that has accompanied him throughout his career.
Chile FA approves Vozinha’s shirt name request
ANFP regulations state that footballers must not display nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets on their shirts, requiring players to use their legal names. Colo Colo, however, requested a special exemption that has now been granted.
As a result, the experienced goalkeeper will continue wearing “Vozinha” on the back of his shirt. The nickname, which means “granny” in Portuguese, has become widely recognized following his recent rise to international prominence.
Vozinha explained that the name has been part of his identity throughout his life and carries deep meaning in Cape Verde. He added that if his grandmother were still alive, she would be proud to see him continue using it as a tribute for the remainder of his playing career.
Colo Colo move follows World Cup breakthrough
The goalkeeper arrived in Santiago on Sunday, where he received a warm welcome from Colo Colo supporters before joining his new teammates in training two days later.
His reputation grew dramatically during the World Cup as Cape Verde collected the nation’s first-ever World Cup point with a group-stage draw against Spain. The team later advanced to the knockout rounds and pushed eventual finalists Argentina into extra time in the last 32.
The tournament also transformed his public profile. His Instagram following climbed from 50,000 to almost 30 million, he earned a place in FIFA’s team of the tournament, and a newly discovered species of sea slug was named in his honor.
Vozinha calls Colo Colo the highlight of his club career
Over the course of his career, Vozinha has played for clubs in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus, and most recently the Portuguese second-division side Chaves. Despite spending much of his career outside the biggest leagues, he always believed he was destined to represent a major club.
He said accepting Colo Colo’s offer required no hesitation, even though he had received interest from several teams. From the beginning, he considered the Chilean giants his preferred destination.
Vozinha described the World Cup as the greatest moment of his international career but said joining Colo Colo represents the pinnacle of his club journey. Wearing the colors of a team with a rich history and record of success, he said, makes this move especially meaningful.