07/29/26 06:04:00
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07/29 18:02 CDT World Cup star Vozinha dons Spider-Man jersey. The nickname on
his shirt for Chile club up for vote
World Cup star Vozinha dons Spider-Man jersey. The nickname on his shirt for
Chile club up for vote
By NAYARA BATSCHKE
Associated Press
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) --- Vozinha is cashing in on his newfound fame by
promoting the new Spider-Man film. The 40-year-old World Cup star's arrival to
his new club in Chile, however, was caught up in old-fashioned paperwork.
The Cape Verde goalkeeper was scheduled to be with Colo Colo by Wednesday, but
Chile's biggest and most successful club says Vozinha's trip has been delayed
because of paperwork. They're hopeful of a Thursday arrival.
Vozinha was still able to wear a jersey Wednesday though --- by donning
Spider-Man gear as part of a Sony Pictures Brazil campaign promoting
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day." On Instagram, Vozinha encouraged his 29.6 million
followers --- up from under 50,000 before the World Cup --- to go see the film.
Meanwhile, Colo Colo is also racing to resolve some issues regarding Vozinha.
The most pressing concern is the name that will appear on the goalkeeper's
jersey. Regulations from the Chilean National Association of Professional
Football (ANFP) require players to use their surname. This means that Vozinha
--- whose real name is Josimar Jos vora Dias --- would not be allowed to use
the nickname that made him famous around the world.
That would be a setback not only for the player --- whose moniker means
"grandma" in Portuguese, a tribute to the woman who raised him --- but also to
the personal brand he has built worldwide.
According to ANFP regulations, "nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets will not
be permitted" in the domestic competition. Players who fail to comply face an
administrative yellow card, while their clubs can be fined up to $875.
Colo Colo has requested an exemption from the Council of Presidents, the body
comprised of the top executives of Chilean clubs. The board is expected to vote
on the matter Friday, and the decision must be unanimous for Vozinha to wear
his nickname.
Another challenge will be deciding which jersey number the Cape Verdean will
wear, as the traditional goalkeeper numbers are already assigned, with
Argentine goalkeeper Fernando de Paul wearing No. 1.
World Cup star energizes Chile
Vozinha emerged as one of the breakout stars of the World Cup by leading
debutant Cape Verde on a remarkable run. He kept a clean sheet against eventual
champion Spain in the team's opening match before producing a series of
spectacular saves against Argentina in the round of 32, where Cape Verde lost
3-2.
His move to South America has generated enormous interest in Chile, where the
national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after
finishing last in the qualifiers.
Vozinha's signing is also expected to boost the profile of both Colo Colo and
Chilean football while creating significant commercial opportunities.
As his social media following soared, Vozinha has become the face of several
advertising campaigns.
Across Chile, meanwhile, the "Vozinha effect" is already being felt. Since
announcing the signing, Colo Colo has gained nearly 70,000 followers across its
social media platforms, many of them from overseas.
"The whole world is getting to know Colo Colo better," supporter Hctor
Hermosilla said. "The world's cameras will be on Vozinha and that's going to be
good for the club."
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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