Vozinha: Flamengo idol ‘to blame’ for Cape Verde World Cup keeper’s name | OneFootball

Vozinha was born during the 1986 World Cup

Butterfly effect! Cape Verde’s goalkeeper at the World Cup, who goes by the nickname Vozinha, is named Josimar because of the indirect influence of a Flamengo idol. After all, the keeper’s name was inspired by the full-back from the 1986 World Cup. However, the player originally called up for that position was Mengão legend Leandro, who ended up withdrawing. Here’s the story.

Passionate about Brazilian football, Vozinha’s father, Zé Pedro, was captivated by two brilliant goals scored by right-back Josimar at the 1986 World Cup, against Northern Ireland and Poland. So he decided to pay tribute to the player who made history at Botafogo.

HOW DOES LEANDRO FIT INTO THE STORY?

World champion with Flamengo in 1981, Leandro was an undisputed starter before the 1986 World Cup. However, during preparations for the tournament, on a day off, the red-and-black idol and Renato Gaúcho went out for a barbecue and returned later than the agreed time to training camp.

Because of the indiscipline, Renato Gaúcho ended up being cut from the World Cup squad. Outraged by the decision of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Leandro made a gesture of solidarity toward the forward and asked to be left out of the tournament as well. It is worth noting that the Flamengo player would not have been punished for the night out.

DID THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT STOP THERE?

Josimar was only called up to the World Cup after Leandro asked to be excused. The other full-back already guaranteed a place in the squad was Édson Boaro, who would naturally have taken over as the starter. However, the replacement got injured, opening the door for the Botafogo player who inspired Vozinha’s name.

WHAT DOES VOZINHA SAY ABOUT THE SITUATION?

— During the 1986 World Cup, when I was born, my father paid this tribute. I think Josimar was a left-back and that he scored goals from the far right, and that’s why my father gave me this name. My father was very clear about that — Vozinha told GE, and his father reinforced the account.

— I was away from home on another island in Cape Verde doing military service, on Santiago Island. His name was only officially registered after the World Cup. Here in Cape Verde there is a classification and regulation of names that can be accepted. There are rules; sometimes they allow it and sometimes they don’t. Thinking about that, I sent two names home — said Vozinha’s father, Zé Pedro.

— The first would have been Jorge Valdano, which was rejected. In fact, to this day, in the family, we call him Dani. I admired Brazilian players like Sócrates, Alemão, Zico. It was a luxury squad, and I really enjoyed watching Josimar play — he added.

WHEN DOES VOZINHA TAKE THE FIELD?

Vozinha, who could have been Leandro but became Josimar, makes his World Cup debut next Monday (15) against one of the tournament favorites, Spain. After that, Cape Verde will face Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.