Vozinha's dream goes on: A week ago, Messi's rival - next season, Messi's teammate?
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 10.07.26. | 14:05
Inter Miami co-owner and football legend David Beckham was reportedly impressed with the 40-year-old goalkeeper's World Cup performances and is willing to sign him
It's still too early to say who will win the 2026 World Cup. France are considered favourites, though Argentina, riding on Lionel Messi's brilliance, and Spain - along with all the other remaining teams, of course - have a major say in the matter.
However, even before the tournament's conclusion, we can determine which player has been its greatest Cinderella story: Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
The man who, alongside his teammates, stunned giants such as Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina, and eventually impressed the football world, has become an overnight star. The number of his Instagram followers rose from around 40,000 to over 20 million, surpassing Iker Casillas to become the most-followed custodian in the world.
For some, fame comes earlier in their career. For Vozinha, it came at the twilight of his career, at 40, but he has no intention to stop playing - not now, when he finally made his breakthrough and when the whole world heard his story, worthy of a movie script.
His deal with the Portuguese club Chaves expired on July 1, and he's officially a free agent now. There were rumours about interest from several Brazilian teams, but the latest reports could point towards a dream scenario.
🚨🇨🇻 After his heroic World Cup displays, 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is attracting serious transfer interest. 👀
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) July 8, 2026
Inter Miami have opened talks over a move for the free-agent shot-stopper following the expiry of his contract with Chaves.
However, convincing… pic.twitter.com/MWUC7AMxGN
According to the Portuguese and Spanish outlets, O Jogo and Diario AS, the Inter Miami co-owner and football legend David Beckham has been impressed with Vozinha's World Cup performances and is willing to sign him!
If the deal were indeed to go through, the Cabo Verdean could become Messi's teammate shortly after facing him in the World Cup Round of 32.
Even the Goat Messi went to Cape Verde 🇨🇻 keeper Vozinha to personally congratulate him for a good job 👏
— Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) July 4, 2026
Vozinho had many heroic moments in the pulsating game.
Vozinha has been a huge revelation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup one of the best 👌 keepers.@soka25east pic.twitter.com/n1WG1ZY1gd
"I went up to Messi after the game. He hugged me and said, 'You are great. Your people should be proud of you.' That was incredible for me. Hearing words like that from someone like Leo Messi means a lot to me."
"I thanked him and said, 'Thank you, Leo. You are the best.' Then I asked if we could swap shirts. Leo said he would give it to me in the tunnels after the interview," the keeper said after the game against Argentina via Yahoo Sports.
From next season, he could share the dressing room with Messi and play alongside him. Talk about a fairytale!