The World Cup competition has changed the trajectory of some stars off the pitch, most notably in the current edition Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

The little-known goalkeeper suddenly turned into a social media phenomenon on Instagram within a few days.

The 40-year-old Vozinha has become the most-followed goalkeeper on Instagram worldwide, surpassing legends of the game in his position, such as Buffon, Iker Casillas, and current stars Thibaut Courtois, Manuel Neuer, and Emiliano Martínez.

Vozinha and his teammates shone in the 2026 World Cup, where their debut in the tournament ended in the round of 32 after they produced an epic performance against defending champions Argentina, facing them with great competitiveness, before the tango dancers secured a 3-2 victory with a last-gasp goal in extra time (111th minute).

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The number of followers of the veteran 40-year-old goalkeeper reached 25.7 million on Sunday.

Thus, he surpasses prominent names in goalkeeping history, led by Spanish Iker Casillas (20.4 million), Belgian Thibaut Courtois (18 million), Argentine Emiliano Martínez (15.1 million), and German Manuel Neuer (15 million).

Vozinha also overtook Italian Gianluigi Buffon (10.9 million), Brazilian Alisson Becker (9.1 million), Moroccan Yassine Bounou (7.5 million), Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma (6.7 million), and French Mike Maignan (2.1 million).

Vozinha entered the tournament relying on vast experience, having increased his tally to 92 international matches, confirming his status as one of the key figures of the generation that led Cape Verde to its best achievement in history.

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