South American giants swoop for veteran keeper
In a transfer that caught many unexpectedly, Chilean powerhouse Colo-Colo have introduced the signing of Josimar Dias, higher identified to the footballing world as . The 40-year-old shot-stopper has put pen to paper on a reported 18-month contract, becoming a member of the membership as a free agent following the expiration of his earlier deal. The Chilean facet, who’ve gained the Liga de Primera 34 occasions and the Copa Libertadores as soon as, welcomed their new arrival with a easy message on social media: “Welcome. We’re ready for you.”
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The veteran arrives at a membership steeped in historical past and at present having fun with a dominant interval in home soccer. Colo-Colo are at present sitting comfortably on the prime of the Chilean desk, holding a 13-point lead over rivals Membership Deportivo Universidad Católica. By securing Vozinha, they’ve strengthened their squad with a participant who proved he can nonetheless compete on the highest worldwide degree, regardless of his age. The transfer ends hypothesis concerning his future, which had seen him linked with a number of golf equipment, together with potential curiosity from MLS outfit Inter Miami.
A World Cup legacy in North America
A World Cup legacy in North America
Vozinha’s profile exploded throughout Cape Verde’s historic run to the spherical of 32 on the World Cup. Through the group’s opening match, a hard-fought draw in opposition to eventual event winners , he produced a surprising sequence of seven saves. That efficiency noticed him turn into the oldest goalkeeper to file a shutout of their World Cup debut. The Blue Sharks relied closely on his expertise all through the group stage as they punched nicely above their weight to achieve the knockout phases.
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The veteran’s performances didn’t simply assist his group on the pitch; . His Instagram following, which stood at a modest 50,000 earlier than the event started, famously skyrocketed to almost 14 million after the Spain sport. As of his signing in Chile, that quantity has surged even additional to an unimaginable 29.5 million followers. This degree of social media engagement highlights the sheer cultural affect he made in the course of the event in North America.
Irritating the GOAT within the knockouts
Maybe the top of Vozinha’s event got here in the course of the spherical of 32 conflict in opposition to reigning champions . In a match that captivated impartial followers, the Cape Verdean keeper produced a heroic show, stopping eight pictures in whole. Crucially, 4 of these saves got here in opposition to , together with a spectacular cease to disclaim a trademark free-kick from the star. Regardless of his efforts, Cape Verde finally fell to a slender 3-2 defeat in opposition to the .
Talking after the match, that he says will stick with him perpetually: “I went as much as Messi after the sport. He hugged me and stated: ‘You’re nice. Your folks ought to be pleased with you’. That was unimaginable for me.” The goalkeeper added that he requested the Argentinian captain to swap shirts, to which Messi agreed: “I thanked him and stated, Thanks, Leo. You’re the finest. Then I requested if we may swap shirts. Leo stated he would give it to me within the tunnels after the interview.”
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From decrease division to World Cup Finest XI
From decrease division to World Cup Finest XI
His consistency throughout the event was rewarded when FIFA named him within the official Finest XI of the World Cup. It was a outstanding achievement for a participant who had spent the earlier three seasons taking part in for G.D. Chaves within the second division of Portuguese soccer. His means to take care of composure in opposition to the world’s most feared attackers, together with the place he recorded his second clear sheet, proved that he remained a top-class skilled able to main from the again.
