Vozinha says World Cup fame has cost him his peace and privacy

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says the fame that followed his World Cup performances has transformed his life in ways he finds difficult to accept, leaving him wishing he could return to the days before the tournament.

The 40-year-old became a hero in Cape Verde and gained recognition around the world during the World Cup. But the attention has brought a loss of privacy which, he says, has affected even the most ordinary parts of his daily life.

“I have lost all my peace,” Vozinha told The Observer. “I no longer have any privacy, or at least much less than I had before. Now, if I go somewhere, to a restaurant for example, there is always someone who wants to take a photo with me or ask me for an autograph.

“Even worse, someone films me. That is what has changed most in my life, and I do not think I can do anything about it.”

The goalkeeper has also seen a major change in the commercial interest surrounding him since the World Cup. He said several companies and brands had been interested in working with him during the tournament, although only one promotional agreement was ultimately completed.

“I know that many companies and brands wanted to collaborate with me during the World Cup,” he said. “But during the tournament, I signed only one promotional partnership, with UFL Mobile.

“I do not know what offers will come in the future, but at the moment I do not want to work with tobacco, alcohol or gambling brands.”

Vozinha believes many people who seek fame and media attention do not fully understand the pressures that accompany it. While celebrity can bring opportunities, he said his own experience had made him value the quieter life he had before the tournament.

“Many people dream of celebrity and media exposure, but they only see the positive side,” he said. “Honestly, if I could choose between my current life and the one I had before, I would choose my old life without hesitation.”

Despite his reservations about the attention, Vozinha has also received significant recognition for his performances. He is among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or award for the year’s best goalkeeper.

“I never thought that would be possible,” he said. “It was unthinkable, but I am grateful to those who thought of me. Being on that list is already a great honour.”