From World Cup heroics to marine immortality, Vozinha’s glory lives on
Cape Verde goalkeeper gets a species named after him
A remarkable World Cup performance has earned Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha an unusual place in history, not only in football records, but also in marine science. A newly discovered species of red marine mollusk has been named “Aldesa Fuzenia” in recognition of the veteran goalkeeper’s outstanding contribution to his country’s historic World Cup campaign.
The honor was announced after Spanish marine biologist Jesús Ortea, known for his research into marine biodiversity and his passion for football, discovered the small red-colored mollusk in the Caribbean.
He chose to name the species after the 40-year-old Cape Verde star to celebrate his memorable performances on football’s biggest stage.
Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, wears the name “Vozinha” on his jersey as a tribute to his late grandmother. His heroics during the World Cup transformed him into a global sensation, particularly after he produced a brilliant display to help Cape Verde secure a historic goalless draw against European champions Spain.
The goalkeeper made seven crucial saves in that match, keeping a clean sheet and earning worldwide praise for his composure and ability under pressure. His performances helped Cape Verde, the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup finals, make a historic run in the tournament.
Cape Verde advanced beyond the group stage and pushed defending champions Argentina to the limit before eventually suffering a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat in the round of 32. Despite their elimination, the team’s fearless performances captured international attention.
Explaining the naming decision, Ortea said he wanted to highlight Vozinha’s “outstanding role” during the tournament. He also pointed to the red color of the newly discovered species as a symbolic connection to the famous match against Spain, whose national team is known as “La Roja” (The Red).
Vozinha’s World Cup impact extended far beyond the football pitch. Following his standout performance, his social media popularity exploded, with his Instagram followers reportedly rising from around 50,000 to more than 17 million, surpassing several globally recognized sporting figures.
The naming of the mollusk continues a unique tradition for Ortea, who has previously combined his love for marine science and football. Earlier, he named a species discovered in Costa Rica after former Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, recognizing another goalkeeper’s achievements at the highest level.
