Vozinha: Cape Verde’s Record-Breaking World Cup Goalkeeper Available as Free Agent After Deportivo Chaves Contract Expires

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has confirmed he is without a club following the expiry of his contract with Portuguese second-division side Deportivo Chaves, even as his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America have drawn widespread international attention.

The veteran shot-stopper, who is 40 years old, disclosed the situation in an interview with Brazilian journalist and digital influencer Daniel Braune, stating plainly: “I ended my contract with my previous club, Deportivo Chaves, and at the moment I still don’t have anything. I’m open to everything. Let’s see what comes up.”

Vozinha acknowledged that no formal offers have been received to date, but expressed clear enthusiasm for the possibility of joining a club in South America, particularly in the Brazilian top flight, where he has cultivated a significant and passionate fanbase over the course of the tournament.

His emergence as one of the World Cup’s most talked-about figures began on June 15, when he produced a string of outstanding saves to help Cape Verde — competing at a World Cup for the first time — hold European powerhouse Spain to a goalless draw. The result was widely regarded as one of the tournament’s earliest upsets and placed Vozinha at the centre of global football conversation.

Days later, the captain repeated the feat, organising his defence effectively to earn the Blue Sharks a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, another South American heavyweight. The back-to-back results have positioned Cape Verde as one of the tournament’s most compelling stories, with their uncontracted goalkeeper central to that narrative.

For context, Cape Verde’s progression at the 2026 World Cup represents a landmark achievement for the small Atlantic archipelago nation, which has a population of under 600,000. Their ability to contain teams of Spain and Uruguay’s calibre underscores the organisational quality Vozinha brings to the side, irrespective of the individual brilliance he has displayed between the posts.

At 40, Vozinha’s age places him among the oldest active goalkeepers competing at a FIFA World Cup in the modern era. His longevity at the professional level, combined with his current free-agent status, makes him an unusual profile in the transfer market — one elevated significantly by his World Cup visibility.

With Cape Verde’s group stage campaign still ongoing at the time of writing, Vozinha and the Blue Sharks are expected to have further opportunities to add to their remarkable run. Whether those performances accelerate interest from potential suitors — in Brazil or elsewhere — remains to be seen. For now, according to Vozinha himself, all options remain firmly on the table.