Veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper Vosinha, one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup, is poised to join Chilean giants Colo Colo instead of completing a widely discussed switch to Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi.
Colo Colo president Anibal Mosa confirmed that a full agreement has been reached with the 40-year-old, who will travel to Chile in the coming days to finalise the move. Vosinha will undergo a medical before being officially unveiled at Estadio Monumental.
“Vosinha will become a Colo Colo player. He will arrive in Chile soon, he will undergo the necessary tests, and then he will be presented officially at the Monumental Stadium,” Mosa told French outlet RMC.
The transfer all but ends recent speculation linking the goalkeeper with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he had been tipped to join Messi following his standout displays on the global stage.
World Cup breakthrough with Cape Verde
Vosinha, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, was one of the surprise success stories of the 2026 World Cup, helping Cape Verde reach the last 16 for the first time in their history.
He delivered a series of impressive performances, the highlight of which was a clean sheet against Spain in the group stage. Cape Verde’s run eventually came to an agonising end against Argentina in the round of 16, losing 3-2 after extra time.
His displays established him as one of the tournament’s most eye-catching goalkeepers and significantly raised his profile at international level.
Late-blooming professional
Vosinha’s rise is all the more remarkable given the unorthodox path of his career. He did not sign his first professional contract until the age of 26, after years spent moving between clubs in Cyprus, Slovakia, Moldova and Angola.
Most recently, he has been playing for Portuguese second-tier side Chaves, from where he will now make the switch to South America to join Chile’s most decorated club.
Mosa stressed that Colo Colo’s interest was driven primarily by sporting reasons rather than marketing considerations.
“From a sporting point of view, Vosinha is in excellent condition, and that is why we decided to sign him,” the Colo Colo president said.
From cult figure to social media phenomenon
Vosinha’s impact during the World Cup extended far beyond his shot-stopping. His performances, coupled with a wave of support from Brazilian content creator Casimiro, turned him into an online sensation.
The combination of his underdog story, standout saves and off-field charisma helped his following on Instagram rocket from around 50,000 to almost 30 million within a matter of weeks.
That extraordinary surge in popularity has made him one of the most talked-about goalkeepers in world football, adding a remarkable off-pitch dimension to a late-blooming career that now takes its next turn in Santiago with Colo Colo.
