​Scientific Tribute: New Marine Species Bears Vozinha’s Name

​In a rare intersection of elite athletics and marine biology, Cape Verde’s legendary goalkeeper, Josimar José Évora Dias—universally known as Vozinha—has been immortalized in the scientific community. Following his breakout performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, renowned Spanish marine biologist Professor Jesús Ortea has officially named a newly discovered marine mollusc species Aldisa vozinhai in his honor.

​A Small Giant of the Sea

​The newly identified species, a vibrant red sea slug measuring a mere four millimetres, was discovered in Caribbean waters near Havana, Cuba, and the island of Guadeloupe. The description of the mollusc appears in Professor Ortea’s recent publication, Historias de la Bioadversidad (Biodiversity Stories), which was released to coincide with the ongoing World Cup.

​For Professor Ortea, the naming is both a tribute to the goalkeeper’s agility and a gesture of gratitude toward the nation of Cape Verde. Ortea, a professor at the University of Oviedo, was awarded the country’s Medal of Environmental Merit in 2023 for his extensive research into the archipelago’s marine life. “Dedicating a species to the goalkeeper for his performance against Spain is a simple tribute and a gesture of gratitude to the people of Cape Verde,” Ortea noted.

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​A Historic World Cup Campaign

​Vozinha’s recognition follows a tournament that saw the 40-year-old veteran transcend the boundaries of his sport. Despite entering the tournament as a free agent, the goalkeeper became one of the most talked-about figures of the 2026 World Cup:

• ​Global Breakout: In Cape Verde’s historic opening match against European giants Spain, Vozinha made seven sensational saves to secure a 0-0 draw, earning the Player of the Match award.
• ​Record-Breaking Milestone: At 40 years and 12 days old, he became the oldest player to feature in a nation’s debut World Cup match.
• ​The Messi Encounter: After an inspired 18-save tournament run—which included a dramatic 3-2 loss to defending champions Argentina—Vozinha caught the attention of Lionel Messi, who praised the veteran’s performance and promised him his match-worn shirt.
• ​Social Media Surge: Before the tournament, Vozinha held a modest Instagram following of roughly 50,000. That figure has since skyrocketed to over 28 million, making him one of the most-followed goalkeepers in the world.

​A Legacy Beyond Football

​The veteran keeper, whose career has taken him through leagues in Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Portugal, is now reportedly being courted by Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, among other international clubs.

​Professor Ortea is no stranger to blending his two passions; in 2019, he named a marine snail species after former Real Madrid and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas. By linking Aldisa vozinhai to the Cape Verdean star, Ortea ensures that while the World Cup tournament eventually ends, the legacy of one of its most inspirational stories will remain permanently etched in the scientific record.