Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha ready for new challenge at Colo-Colo in Chile after World Cup success

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Although he spent most of his career with smaller clubs in lower divisions — most recently Chaves in Portugal’s second tier — Vozinha always believed he belonged on a bigger stage.

Following a breakout World Cup with Cape Verde that won over fans worldwide, the 40-year-old goalkeeper has secured his high-profile move.

On Tuesday, he was officially unveiled by Colo-Colo, Chile’s most successful club.

“The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren’t exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a ‘big club’ player,” Vozinha said at a press conference. “So when Colo-Colo came calling, there was no doubt.”

Colo-Colo announced the signing in late July, but his arrival was delayed. Vozinha acknowledged receiving other offers but maintained that the Chilean club was always his first choice.

“From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers, but Colo-Colo was always the priority,” said Josimar Évora Dias, widely known as Vozinha — a nickname that means “granny” in Portuguese.

Finalizing the deal required overcoming a unique regulatory hurdle: Chilean football rules state that players must wear their legal surnames on their jerseys.

The goalkeeper acknowledged the prospect of dropping his moniker was frustrating but welcomed the Chilean Football Federation’s decision to grant a special exception.

“It is the name I have used my entire life. In Cape Verde, it holds great significance and a rich history, and now it does globally as well,” he said. “If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to keep using it for the rest of my career as a tribute.”

Vozinha landed at Santiago Airport on Sunday to a raucous welcome from fans armed with flags, signs, and drums.

He passed his medical and signed his contract Monday, joined his new teammates for training Tuesday, and could make his debut this Sunday when league-leading Colo-Colo face Unión La Calera.

“The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now. Being here representing Colo-Colo — a massive club with a rich history — is the highlight of my club career,” he added.

His stellar performances against powerhouses like Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina transformed him into a global sensation, driving his social media following from under 50,000 to nearly 30 million in a matter of weeks.

Now, the goalkeeper who earned a spot in the FIFA World Cup Best XI looks to channel that momentum in South America.

“Playing in the World Cup comes with immense pressure. I played against the best national teams in the world, and now I just want to work hard and help this team achieve its goals,” Vozinha said.

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Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, left, Colo Colo's President Anibal Mosa, center, and Colo Colo's sports manager Daniel Moron attend Vozinha's presentation as a new player at Monumental stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha poses for photos during his presentation as a new player for Colo Colo at Monumental stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is presented as a new player for Colo Colo during a press conference at Monumental stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha puts on his new Colo Colo jersey during his presentation as a new player at Monumental stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha poses for photos during his presentation as a new player for Colo Colo at Monumental stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

The House Ethics Committee said Tuesday it had opened an investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Republican Rep. Max Miller as the embattled Ohio congressman faced pressure from President Donald Trump and escalating criticism from his former father-in-law, Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno.

Miller, a senior adviser to Trump during his first presidency, faced a Wednesday deadline to decide whether to stay in his race for reelection, with Republicans nervous that the allegations surrounding the second-term congressman could cost them a seat as they try to hang on to their House majority in this year's midterms.

Leaders of the ethics committee said in their statement that the committee was reviewing whether Miller “may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use.” Earlier in the day, Miller said he had requested his own investigation into the allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. It was not clear whether his request or another one prompted the committee to investigate.

Trump spoke with Miller on Monday and advised that his candidacy “doesn’t look good,” according to a source familiar with the conversation who was granted anonymity to discuss a private conversation. Trump’s conversation with Miller was first reported by Axios.

Miller said during a CNN interview Tuesday that he wasn't exiting the race, despite what he described as Trump's words of caution.

"'Maxie, it’s going to be a tough race. And he said, I don’t know if you’re going to be able to, you know, pull this one out,'” he quoted Trump as saying during their conversation.

Miller added: “I will never, ever, ever let my baby girl see her dad walk away as a quitter. I will continue to finish this.”

The former Trump aide, whom the president endorsed in May, is facing a flurry of legal filings by his ex-wife, who is the Republican senator's daughter, and an ex-girlfriend.

Sen. Moreno, who until Sunday had remained quiet about the allegations at his daughter's request, on Tuesday described the impact on his daughter, granddaughter and wider family as “truly the seventh level of hell."

“This has been brutal beyond comprehension," he told reporters at the Capitol. "And if there's any minimum standard for being a public official, as I said, he fails to meet that minimum, basic standard.”

Asked about the election implications of the allegations for Republicans, Moreno told reporters, “I don't care about the politics at all.”

Moreno expressed concern for his granddaughter and told reporters that he traveled Sunday to a suburban Cleveland police station, where Miller was dropping off their daughter. Miller and his ex-wife share custody of the 2-year-old.

Miller had previewed his intention to stay in the race over the weekend when he livestreamed a video defending himself on X and posted a cache of documents related to his divorce and custody cases.

Sen. Moreno said the video prompted him to break his silence and call for Miller to no longer hold public office.

Trump declined to say publicly Monday whether Miller should exit the race, noting that the accusations against him were “allegations.”

“I know Max. He's a good person. I mean, I always thought he was a very good person. And I'm going to let the families figure that out,” Trump told reporters when asked about Miller during an Oval Office event.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, arrives as Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

FILE - Rep.-elect Max Miller, R-Ohio, arrives for new member orientation check-in and program registration with Emily Moreno in Washington, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

FILE - Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, walks out of a meeting with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., on Capitol Hill, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - Rep.-elect Max Miller, R-Ohio, arrives for new member orientation check-in and program registration in Washington, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)