Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha Honoured with Newly Discovered Species‎‎‎

Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper Vozinha has received a unique honour after a newly discovered marine species was named after him.‎‎

The discovery was made by Spanish researcher Jesús Ortea, who identified a previously unknown marine mollusk during his research in the Caribbean, specifically near Havana in Cuba and around the island of Guadeloupe.‎‎

The tiny red sea slug, measuring about four millimeters, has been officially named Aldisa vozinhai, translating to Vozinha’s sea slug, in recognition of the 40-year-old goalkeeper.‎‎

Ortea published the finding in his work Historias de la Bioadversidad (“Biodiversity Stories”), with the naming also serving as a tribute to the people of Cape Verde. ‎‎The researcher has strong ties to the nation, having been awarded the Medal of Environmental Merit in 2023 for his contributions to marine biodiversity studies in the archipelago.

Notably, this is not his first football-inspired naming, having previously named a species after former Real Madrid and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas in 2019.‎‎‎

Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, has been a standout figure for Cape Verde at the World Cup, delivering a memorable man-of-the-match performance in a 0-0 draw against European champions Spain, where he made seven crucial saves.‎‎

According to the goalkeeper, his nickname “Vozinha,” means “little grandmother” or “Grandmother’s little one” in Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole.

This name dates to his childhood on São Vicente island, where he was raised largely by his grandparents. He earned the name from older boys he played street football with, who teased him for often running back home to his granny upset after tough games—an affectionate label that has stayed with him throughout his career.‎‎‎

The shot stopper is currently without a club. He was recently released by Portuguese second division side G.D Chaves, following the expiration of his contract.