Bhojinia turns off notifications for fame: ‘I preferred my old life’

His job is to stand between the goalposts and thwart opposition attacks. Yet, he seems helpless against the kind of ‘onslaught’ he has had to face since the World Cup! Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha turned off his Instagram notifications because he found it hard to resist the urge to constantly check who had started following him.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper was a key figure in Cape Verde’s historic World Cup campaign. Following a stellar performance in a goalless draw against Spain, his Instagram follower count surged from 56,000 to over a million in just a few hours. By the end of the World Cup, that figure had climbed to more than 28 million.

‘I thought the guy was joking’

He didn't realize just how much his life had changed immediately after the match against Spain. A member of Cape Verde’s catering team informed him that his follower count had surpassed the one-million mark. At first, Vozinha didn't believe it.

The reality became clear later in the mixed zone when a Kazakhstani journalist showed him the screen of a phone. Seeing over a million followers with his own eyes, Vozinha realized that his World Cup performance had made him famous overnight.

That was when he decided to turn off his Instagram notifications.

‘I turned off Instagram notifications to avoid the temptation of constantly checking who was following me.’

Vozinha continued to excel in the remaining World Cup matches. After a 2–2 draw against Uruguay and a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde lost 3–2 to Argentina in the Round of 16. His performance throughout the tournament brought him global recognition.

‘I’ve lost my peace and solitude’

While this sudden explosion of fame has its upsides, it also brings discomfort. In an interview with *The Observer*, Vozinha revealed that he preferred his earlier, quieter life. "I have lost my peace and solitude. I no longer have a private life like I used to."

Having his photo taken, being asked for autographs, or being secretly filmed whenever he steps outside has become a daily occurrence for him. The situation is the same even when he visits a restaurant. His family is also feeling the impact of this heightened attention; he mentioned that fans even show up at his mother's home in Cape Verde seeking photos or a conversation.

Vozinha’s perspective on fame is quite straightforward—

"Many people want to be famous, but they only see the positive side of that reality. Honestly, if I had to choose between my current life and my old life, I would choose the old one."

Brand offers, but clear boundaries

Following the World Cup, Vozinha began receiving offers from various companies and brands. However, during the tournament itself, he agreed to only one promotional deal—with UFL Mobile.

Even as future offers come in, he has maintained a clear stance on certain matters; the goalkeeper has stated that he does not wish to work with tobacco, alcohol, or betting companies.

Yet, despite his personal discomfort, Vozinha views this fame positively for the sake of his country. He considers it an honor to be able to showcase Cape Verdean football to the world.

"I feel like a sort of ambassador; it’s a good feeling. However, what we achieved was the result of a collective effort."

New club after the World Cup; Yashin Trophy on the horizon

After the World Cup, Vozinha left the Portuguese second-division club Chaves to join the historic Chilean club Colo-Colo. According to him, this club showed the most interest in him. He received no offers from the United States, and while there was contact with Saudi Arabia, nothing materialized beyond the initial stages.

He has also been rewarded for his stellar World Cup performance, securing a spot on the 10-man shortlist for the Yashin Trophy. In other words, the goalkeeper who—at the age of forty—was virtually unknown to the football world before the World Cup has transformed into a global star within just a few months. Millions of Instagram followers, the glare of camera flashes, and requests for autographs have all become part of his life.

Yet, for Vujanić, perhaps the most precious thing remains that old sense of solitude—a life where, even while standing between the goalposts, very few people recognized him off the pitch.