World Cup fame steals my peace — Cape Verde goalkeeper

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has revealed that the fame he gained from the 2026 World Cup has come at the cost of his privacy and peace of mind.

The goalkeeper, who became one of the tournament’s breakout figures, said he would choose his life before the World Cup if given the option.

Speaking to The Observer, Vozinha said the attention that followed his performances had significantly changed his daily life.

“I have lost my peace and tranquillity. I don’t have privacy anymore, or at least much less than before,” he said.

He said he could no longer move around freely without being recognised, approached for photographs or filmed by strangers.

“Now when I go out or go to a restaurant, there is always someone asking for a photo or an autograph. Or even worse, someone filming me,” Vozinha added.

The goalkeeper also disclosed that his World Cup performances attracted interest from companies and brands seeking commercial partnerships.

He said he received several offers during the tournament but accepted only one promotional deal, with UFL Mobile, while Cape Verde were competing.

Vozinha said he was also deliberately avoiding certain industries, adding, “For now, I don’t want to work with tobacco, alcohol or betting brands.”

Despite the increased visibility and commercial opportunities, the goalkeeper said he preferred his previous lifestyle.

“To be honest, if I had to choose between the life I have today and the life I had before, I would choose the life I had before,” he told The Observer.

His comments have sparked mixed reactions on Facebook, with some users joking about the realities of sudden fame while others questioned his decision to complain about a level of recognition many people seek.

One commenter, Olubunmi Omole, described Vozinha as someone who had “suddenly become a celebrity overnight,” while Maazi Ume wrote that reaching the top could reveal that “there is nothing there.”

Others took a lighter view, with Alrufai Adnan Adam joking that “celebrity life e no easy,” while Obaino Clinton said fame “comes with a price.”

Some users also used Vozinha’s comments to reflect on the pursuit of celebrity, noting the contrast between people seeking fame and those who later find its pressures difficult to handle.