Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper, Vozinha, has stolen the spotlight at the World Cup 2026. From delivering world-class saves to earning high praise from Lionel Messi, the 40-year-old shot-stopper has now registered a staggering statistic that highlights Cristiano Ronaldo’s current struggles in the tournament.
Vozinha put on a masterclass performance against Spain in Cape Verde’s opening match, continuing his fine form against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. His heroics culminated in a dramatic clash against Argentina, where Lionel Messi himself hailed him as one of the standout players of the match.
The Stat That Shamed Ronaldo: According to Al Arabiya, Vozinha managed to complete a successful dribble against Argentina, despite his position as a goalkeeper. In stark contrast, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to complete a single successful dribble so far in the tournament.
Ronaldo’s World Cup Campaign: Despite facing heavy criticism for his dipping form, “The Don” has still managed to score 3 goals in the tournament, with his latest coming from the penalty spot against Croatia in the Round of 32.
A New Global Star at 40: Although Cape Verde exited the World Cup after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina, Vozinha left the tournament with his head held high. His sensational performances triggered a massive social media boom; his Instagram followers skyrocketed to 19 million, up from less than 400,000 before the tournament. At 40, Vozinha has officially cemented his status as a global football icon.
