How a Flamengo idol helped give Cape Verde keeper Vozinha the name Josimar | OneFootball

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha owes his given name, Josimar, to Brazil’s 1986 World Cup revelation, a chain set in motion when Flamengo idol Leandro stood down from that squad.

"During the 1986 World Cup, when I was born, my father paid that tribute. I think Josimar was a left-back who scored from the right wing, that is why my father gave me this name. My father was very clear about it," said Vozinha, speaking to GE.

A fan of Brazilian football, Vozinha’s father, Zé Pedro, decided to honour Josimar after his breakout on the global stage.

Before Mexico 1986, Leandro was Brazil’s first-choice right-back. During preparation, he and Renato Gaúcho returned late from a barbecue on a day off, Renato was dropped for indiscipline and Leandro, in solidarity, asked to miss the tournament, despite facing no sanction. Josimar was then called, Édson Boaro was expected to start, but an injury opened the door for the Botafogo full-back, who scored twice against Northern Ireland and Poland.

"I was away on another island, Santiago, doing military service. His name was only registered after the World Cup. Here there is a regulation on names that can be accepted, so I sent two options home," said Zé Pedro. "The first was Jorge Valdano, which was rejected, so the family still call him Dani. I admired Brazilian players like Sócrates, Alemão and Zico, and I loved watching Josimar."

Vozinha, who might have been Leandro but became Josimar, is set for his World Cup debut on Monday 15 against Spain. Cape Verde then face Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.

Source: Coluna Do Fla