Goalkeeper Vozinha in the Colo-Colo club jersey - Photo: CNN
Life isn't a dream for Vozinha.
Vozinha joining Colo-Colo is one of the highlights following the 2026 World Cup. The Cape Verde goalkeeper was one of the most impressive players of the tournament, becoming a phenomenon in the world of football .
And Colo-Colo stepped in to rescue Vozinha from his unemployment, offering him a contract worth $25,000 a month, ten times the salary the Cape Verde star earned at his previous clubs.
Vozinha had his first training session with Colo-Colo on August 4th. By the end of August, the Chilean newspaper Emol questioned: "What's happening to Vozinha?". After more than two weeks, he hadn't been called up by coach Fernando Ortiz, and in some matches, he had to watch the team from the stands.
The goalkeeper for Colo-Colo in recent times has been Gabriel Maureira, a 19-year-old who came through the club's youth system. This is what made the Vozinha transfer controversial even before it was finalized.
Some former Colo-Colo legends believe the club doesn't need to bring in a 40-year-old goalkeeper who could hinder Maureira's development. Legend Esteban Paredes acknowledges Vozinha created a "buzz" thanks to the World Cup but questions whether this is truly a good choice for Colo-Colo.
Former renowned goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has been opposed since Colo-Colo began searching for a new goalkeeper. Bravo argued that the team was leading the league with a promising young goalkeeper who had the potential to play for the national team and internationally, so it was incomprehensible that the club was still looking for a replacement for Maureira.
"Vozinha has become a problem."
In the 2-2 draw against O'Higgins in mid-August, the 19-year-old goalkeeper was questioned for both goals conceded.
La Tercera noted that Maureira reacted slowly to the first goal and lacked decisiveness in the situation leading to the second. Vozinha was still in the stands at the time.
From the question "Why buy Vozinha?", public opinion shifted to "Why not use Vozinha?".
Former Chile national team goalkeeper Johnny Herrera even commented that the situation had become awkward. Initially, he saw the signing of the World Cup hero as the right decision, but later declared: "More than just a reinforcement, Vozinha has become a problem."
Chilean media suggest that the overwhelming influence of the World Cup star has caused Maureira to begin experiencing unnecessary pressure.
Even Bravo, despite pointing out areas where Maureira needed improvement, still chose the young goalkeeper. He stated that if he were the sporting director, he would prioritize training and developing Maureira so that he could sell him to Europe in the future.
Vozinha is a phenomenon of the 2026 World Cup - Photo: REUTERS
It wasn't until August 26th, more than three weeks after his first training session, that Vozinha made his debut. He started in goal when Colo-Colo beat Union Espanola 3-0 in the Chilean Cup, keeping a clean sheet.
On September 6th, Vozinha was given another opportunity by coach Ortiz, making his first start in the Chilean National League in the match against Huachipato.
Coach Ortiz simply replied when asked by the media: "I just want to watch Vozinha play."
This response was seen as disrespectful, and public opinion in Chile suggested that Ortiz was perhaps forced to use the Cape Verde star.
Colo-Colo drew 0-0 and Vozinha kept a clean sheet. Because Huachipato created very few dangerous opportunities, the Cape Verde goalkeeper had almost no chance to showcase his save abilities. He only received a 6.6 rating from Sofascore for this match.
Vozinha's career continues to generate controversy in Chile. And according to public opinion, this is the first time in his life that the Cape Verde goalkeeper has felt the pressure of superstar status.