Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says he misses life before World Cup fame

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says he would choose his life before the World Cup over his new existence in the spotlight, after his performances at the tournament turned him into a global celebrity.

The 40-year-old kept clean sheets against eventual champions Spain and Saudi Arabia as Cape Verde reached the round of 32 at their first appearance at the global tournament. Their unexpected run ended with a 3-2 defeat by Argentina.

Vozinha’s displays also earned him a nomination for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the year’s best goalkeeper. His profile has risen sharply, with his Instagram following increasing from 56,000 to 28-million people.

But the former Chaves goalkeeper says the attention has come at a heavy personal cost.

“I’ve lost my peace and tranquillity. I no longer have any privacy,” Vozinha told Britain’s Observer newspaper.

“I go to a restaurant, and there’s always someone who wants to take a photo with me or asks me for an autograph. Or worse, someone’s filming me … I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it.”

The impact of his sudden fame has extended to his family in Cape Verde. Supporters have been arriving every day at his mother’s house, while Vozinha is unable to assist because he is away from the country.

“I’m not there, so I can’t help them,” he said.

Vozinha left Portuguese second-tier club Chaves to join Chile’s Colo-Colo in July, following the World Cup campaign that made him one of the tournament’s most recognised players.

Cape Verde, a group of islands off Africa’s west coast, has a population of about 500,000. The team’s progress to the knockout stage was one of the competition’s biggest surprises before Argentina ended their run.

Although many people aspire to fame, Vozinha believes they often fail to understand the consequences that come with it.

“A lot of people want to be famous … but they only see the positive side of that reality,” he said.

“To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the life I had before, I’d choose the one I had before.”