Vosinha set for Colo Colo move as World Cup breakout goalkeeper rejects Inter Miami switch

World Cup 2026 surprise package Vosinha is on the verge of joining Chilean giants Colo Colo, with the Cape Verde goalkeeper closing in on a move that ends talk of a transfer to MLS side Inter Miami and a potential link-up with Lionel Messi.

Colo Colo president Anibal Mosa has confirmed that an agreement is in place for the 40-year-old, who became one of the standout stories of the tournament after inspiring Cape Verde to the last 16 for the first time in their history.

Mosa told French outlet RMC that only the final formalities remain before the deal is completed, with Vosinha expected to travel to Chile in the coming days to finalise the transfer.

“Vosinha will become a Colo Colo player. He will arrive in Chile soon, he will undergo the necessary medical tests, and then he will be officially presented at the Monumental stadium,” Mosa said.

Inter Miami link ends with Chile move

Vosinha had been strongly linked in recent weeks with a move to Inter Miami in the United States, in a transfer that would have seen him line up alongside Lionel Messi.

However, those rumours have now been effectively quashed by Mosa’s announcement, with Colo Colo moving decisively to secure the veteran goalkeeper after his high-profile performances at the World Cup.

The transfer will see Vosinha continue his club career in South America rather than in Major League Soccer, despite the significant attention generated by the prospect of joining Messi in Florida.

World Cup heroics with Cape Verde

Vosinha, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, emerged as one of the revelations of the 2026 World Cup.

He played a key role in Cape Verde’s run to the last 16, the best achievement in the nation’s footballing history, producing a series of standout displays on the global stage.

Among his most notable performances was a clean sheet against Spain in the group stage, a result that underlined Cape Verde’s resilience and tactical organisation.

Cape Verde were eventually eliminated in agonising fashion by Argentina after extra time, losing 3-2 in the knockout phase, but Vosinha’s reputation had already been firmly established by then.

Late-blooming career

Vosinha’s rise is all the more remarkable given the unconventional path of his career.

He did not sign his first professional contract until the age of 26, after a long journey through various clubs and leagues in Cyprus, Slovakia, Moldova and Angola.

Most recently, he has been playing for Portuguese club Chaves in the second division, where his form helped earn him a place in Cape Verde’s World Cup squad and eventually propelled him onto the radar of bigger clubs.

Mosa stressed that Colo Colo’s interest was based firmly on sporting considerations rather than simply capitalising on Vosinha’s sudden fame.

“From a sporting point of view, Vosinha is in excellent condition, and that is why we decided to sign him,” the Colo Colo president explained.

From cult hero to global social media star

Vosinha’s impact in 2026 extended well beyond his shot-stopping.

The goalkeeper became a viral sensation during the tournament, with his performances and personality turning him into a fan favourite around the world.

His online following exploded during the World Cup, helped in part by the backing of influential Brazilian content creator Casimiro, whose coverage and support amplified Vosinha’s story to a global audience.

As a result, Vosinha’s Instagram following rocketed from around 50,000 before the tournament to close to 30 million in just a few weeks, transforming him from a relatively unknown veteran into one of the most talked-about players of the competition.

If he passes his medical and completes his move, Vosinha will soon be unveiled at Colo Colo’s Estadio Monumental, beginning a new chapter in a career that has peaked in extraordinary fashion at the age of 40.