Goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, known as “Vozinha,” is experiencing a time of contrasts. While his name appeared among the nominees for the award for the world’s best goalkeeper at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, in Chile his performance with Colo Colo is already sparking debate.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper was nominated for the Yashin Award thanks to his performances with the Cape Verde national team during the 2026 World Cup. Vozinha emerged at the tournament as one of the biggest surprises.
Colo Colo celebrated the news on social media with a message dedicated to its goalkeeper: “A Cacique nominated for best goalkeeper of the year. Our Colo Colo goalkeeper, Vozinha, has been nominated for the award.”
Edmundo Valladares, president of Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo, also highlighted what the nomination means for the club. “We think it’s great. It elevates the club. It puts us on the international map,” he told the Chilean press.
The World Cup that put Vozinha in the global spotlight
Vozinha’s nomination for the 2026 Ballon d’Or comes on the heels of a historic World Cup for Cape Verde. The African national team competed in the World Cup for the first time and advanced to the Round of 16. The goalkeeper was one of the team’s standout players. He first rose to the headlines after keeping a clean sheet against Spain. Vozinha played a key role in the 2-2 draw against Uruguay, and again kept a clean sheet against Saudi Arabia.
His final World Cup appearance came in a 3-2 loss to Argentina. It was a closely contested match that ended with Cape Verde’s elimination. His performances led to a huge surge in popularity, and his Instagram account reached nearly 30 million followers.
On the Yashin Award shortlist, Vozinha is nominated alongside great goalkeepers:
- Unai Simón
- David Raya
- Joan García
- Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez
- Thibaut Courtois
- Yassine Bounou
- Gregor Kobel
- Édouard Mendy
- Matvey Safonov
Claudio Bravo questions Vozinha’s technique
However, this international recognition contrasts with the criticism the goalkeeper has received following his first few matches with Colo Colo. Vozinha made his debut in the Copa Chile and later played his first league match against Huachipato, where he kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw.
Despite the result, a botched attempt to come out for an aerial cross caught the attention of former goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who now works as a commentator.
“My take is that he lacks technique and coordination,” said the former captain of the Chilean national team, analyzing a play in which Vozinha failed to secure the ball after coming off his line.
Bravo explained that his analysis was not motivated by personal reasons and rejected accusations of alleged envy toward the African goalkeeper.
“That’s something that doesn’t exist under any circumstances. You comment on things based on the expertise you’ve gained along the way,” he said.
While opinions are divided among the Chilean press, Vozinha will have to continue fighting for the starting spot at Colo Colo, where Argentine coach Fernando Ortiz has also opted for 19-year-old academy product Gabriel Maureira. Thus, the Cape Verdean goalkeeper finds himself in a unique situation: named among the world’s best for his World Cup performance, yet forced to prove his worth game by game at his new club.
