Rock Star: Crazy Welcome for World Cup Sensation in Chile
One of the heroes of the 2026 World Cup, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, has arrived in Chile to join Colo-Colo. He was greeted by hundreds of enthusiastic fans at the airport in Santiago.
One of the heroes of the 2026 World Cup landed tonight (between Sunday and Monday) in Chile and was received as if he were nothing less than a rock star. Vozinha, the goalkeeper of the Cape Verde national team, arrived in Santiago to join Colo-Colo and received a crazy welcome from the fans of the local powerhouse club.
Hundreds of fans waited for him at the terminal with flags, signs, drums, and songs, turning his arrival into a real event. Vozinha, who became one of the most prominent figures of the World Cup, looked overwhelmed and told reporters:
"I am very happy to be here. I want to thank the fans for their patience while they waited for me. See you at the Monumental stadium."
The arrival in Chile was delayed three times due to document issues and personal matters, which raised concerns about the completion of the transfer. Colo-Colo had already announced his signing on July 24, but only now has the 40-year-old goalkeeper managed to reach the country.
Vozinha is expected to undergo medical examinations and then sign officially. The initial agreement will be for half a year, with an option for an additional season, and he is supposed to join the team's training as early as Tuesday and be presented on that same day.
The veteran goalkeeper became a global sensation at the World Cup, among other things after stopping Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina and helping Cape Verde reach the round of 32. He also became the oldest player to appear in his national team's debut match at the World Cup.
The publicity surrounding him has surged unusually even off the pitch. Before the tournament, he had less than 50,000 followers on Instagram, while today he already holds more than 29.5 million followers.
At Colo-Colo, they also managed to solve the issue of his nickname. The Chilean Football Federation changed the regulations to allow him to play with the inscription "Vozinha" on his shirt, even though local law had until now required the use of the surname only.
The fans in Chile hope that the one who became a national hero in Cape Verde will help Colo-Colo win the championship and reach the Copa Libertadores next season. "The entire Colo-Colo family and all of Chile were waiting for him," said one of the fans. "Now he needs to earn his place through talent, work, and commitment."
