I preferred my old life- Vozinha

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha enjoyed a successful year, keeping clean sheets against eventual champions Spain and Saudi Arabia, which helped his nation reach the World Cup round of 32. However, the intense attention that fame brought has left the 40-year-old feeling helpless. Cape Verde, a small island nation near Africa's west coast with a population of around 500,000, made history by reaching the knockout stage in their first-ever appearance at the global tournament, although they lost 3-2 to Argentina.

Vozinha's exceptional performances earned him a Yashin Trophy nomination for the year's best goalkeeper, and his popularity skyrocketed on social media, with his Instagram following growing from 56,000 to 28 million. In an interview with Britain’s Observer newspaper, Vozinha expressed how his life has changed dramatically. He stated, "I’ve lost my peace and tranquillity.

I no longer have any privacy." Fans often approach him at restaurants, requesting photos or autographs, and even filming him without his consent. Vozinha's family has also been affected, with fans frequently visiting his mother's house in Cape Verde. "I’m not there, so I can’t help them," he said. Despite his newfound fame, Vozinha admitted, "I’d choose the life I had before" if given the chance.