Cape Verde icon Vozinha ready to snub Messi and link up with different ex-Barcelona star

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Despite rumours linking him with a sensational move to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, Cape Verde hero Vozinha looks to be on his way to South America.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper became a viral sensation at the World Cup. Vozinha kept clean sheets against Spain and Saudi Arabia as debutants Cape Verde remarkably progressed to the knockout stages, where they gave eventual finalists Argentina a good run for their money.

The Blue Sharks were one of the feel-good stories of the tournament, and veteran goalkeeper Vozinha was right at the heart of it. He fully embraced the occasion - even showboating in possession - and did what was required of him, even if he didn't always cut a totally convincing figure when saving shots.

After incredibly holding Spain to a scoreless draw in Cape Verde's first match, Vozinha revealed that his mother was not there to see him because the family could not afford to bring her into the United States. The story went around the globe, which made it possible for her to make the trip after all.

Because of his World Cup exploits, Vozinha's social media following exploded. The 40-year-old had fewer than 50,000 Instagram followers at the start of the tournament - he now has 29.4 million.

Vidal over Messi?

Vozinha's contract with second-tier Portuguese side Chaves expired during the World Cup, meaning that he is currently a free agent and able to choose his next club. There have been sensational links with Inter Miami, but they always appeared far-fetched because of MLS's stringent roster rules.

Using an international roster slot on a 40-year-old shot-stopper would have been a bizarre decision after signing reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Claire in the offseason - even if the Canada international has admittedly been poor this year.

Indeed, it seems like the Miami links were nothing but pure speculation. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, a move to South America is more likely for Vozinha.

He has been associated with a move to Brazil, but it appears that Chilean giants Colo-Colo are the most concrete option for him at this stage. Romano states that they have already made a contract proposal, which prompted the player's camp to make a counter-offer.

There is currently no guarantee that a move materialises, with Colo-Colo also interested in signing 28-year-old Uruguay international Santiago Mele from Monterrey. The latter would be a more long-term option, but signing him would require a transfer fee.

The prospect of joining Colo-Colo is perhaps not quite as exciting as linking up with Messi at Miami, but Vozinha would still team up with a former Barcelona star. That's because Messi's former teammate Arturo Vidal is still going strong at 39 years of age.

The tenacious defensive midfielder has been converted into a centre-back, and he is the undisputed leader in a Colo-Colo team with a few exciting young talents. Vidal, who has a whopping 147 caps for Chile, played for Barcelona between 2018 and 2020.

In early 2024, he returned to his boyhood club in Santiago. His presentation was nothing short of sensational, with the legend arriving at the stadium by helicopter before riding around the pitch on horseback - while wearing a crown and holding a sword.

Perhaps Vozinha could receive a similar hero's welcome...