"I thought it was a joke!" Vozinha drops stunning confession after Yashin Trophy nomination

Vozinha still cannot quite believe that his extraordinary year has taken him this far.

Details: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has reacted to his nomination for the 2026 Yashin Trophy with remarkable modesty. The 40-year-old admitted that he initially thought the news was a joke and even confessed that, in his own eyes, there are other goalkeepers who have stronger claims to the prestigious individual award.

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“Many people will say it’s unfair, and in a way, that’s how I feel too. I thought it was a joke when I heard the news. I say that because I have enormous respect for all these great goalkeepers playing in the best leagues and for the best teams in the world. I see it mainly as another reward for the whole of Cape Verde. At this stage of my career and my life, it’s a gift from the universe. So thank you to those who put me there.”

Vozinha is one of 10 goalkeepers included on the 2026 shortlist and one of three African representatives alongside Yassine Bounou and Édouard Mendy. The veteran is currently continuing his club career in Chile with Colo-Colo after his performances for Cape Verde transformed him into one of the most recognizable goalkeepers of the year.

It is worth noting that Vozinha played in all four of Cape Verde’s matches at the 2026 World Cup and kept two clean sheets during the group stage, against Spain and Saudi Arabia. The achievement also made him only the third goalkeeper in World Cup history to record multiple clean sheets after turning 40.

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