Ballon d’Or 2026: Vozinha reacts to his nomination

Cape Verde’s World Cup hero is savouring a historic nomination after a summer that completely transformed his career

Ballon d'Or Today at 09:00

Add Foot Africa on Google

Ballon d’Or 2026: Vozinha reacts to his nomination

Named among the ten goalkeepers shortlisted for the 2026 award, Vozinha shared an emotional message dedicated to Cape Verde and his journey.

At 40, Vozinha is continuing to enjoy an extraordinary year. The Cape Verde goalkeeper is among the ten nominees for the best goalkeeper award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, alongside the likes of Yassine Bounou, Édouard Mendy, Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez and Unai Simón. The recognition comes just weeks after a historic World Cup campaign with the Blue Sharks.

Writing on Instagram, the veteran goalkeeper did not hide his emotion. “There are moments that seem too big to be true… until the day you realise the whole journey was worth it,” he wrote. Vozinha then reflected on the sacrifices and difficulties he had experienced before dedicating the nomination to his country: “This nomination is not mine alone. I carry São Vicente, Cape Verde and an entire people who never stopped believing with me.”

A 2026 World Cup that changed Vozinha’s career

His nomination is largely a reward for an exceptional World Cup. In Cape Verde’s first appearance at the tournament, Vozinha started all four matches and made 18 saves from 23 shots on target, giving him a 78.3% save rate. He also kept two clean sheets.

His defining performance came in Cape Verde’s historic 0-0 draw with Spain, when he produced seven saves to frustrate the European champions. He followed that with another clean sheet against Saudi Arabia. Cape Verde then reached the round of 32, where they pushed Argentina into extra time before losing 3-2 after 120 minutes. Vozinha still made eight saves in that game.

From Chaves to Colo-Colo after his World Cup breakthrough

His performances in the United States also transformed his club career. A free agent after leaving Portuguese second-tier side GD Chaves, Vozinha attracted several suitors during the summer. After a dramatic transfer saga, he eventually signed for Chilean giants Colo-Colo at the beginning of August.

The Cape Verde international agreed a six-month contract with an option for a further year. A move that would have seemed unlikely only months earlier became a natural consequence of his huge World Cup exposure. Vozinha was even selected in FIFA’s fan-voted World Cup dream team.

“My heart in my homeland”

Vozinha made sure to thank everyone who had supported him along the way. “Grateful to God, my family, my teammates and everyone who has been part of this journey. Always with my feet on the ground and my heart in my homeland. Thank you, Cape Verde. Thank you, world,” he concluded.

Alongside Bounou and Mendy, Vozinha is one of three African goalkeepers included among the ten nominees for the 2026 best goalkeeper award. The winner will be announced in London on October 26. Whatever the result, the Mindelo-born goalkeeper’s nomination is already one of the year’s most remarkable individual stories.