Vozinha has spoken about the impact of his World Cup fame, telling The Observer that he would prefer his old life to the attention he receives now.

The Cape Verde goalkeeper, 40, has more than 28 million Instagram followers, according to ESPN, and said the attention now extends to his family. The comments come after a difficult run of form, with Vozinha making errors for both Colo-Colo and Cape Verde in recent weeks.

How Has World Cup Fame Changed Vozinha's Life?

"I've lost my peace and tranquillity," Vozinha told The Observer. He said fans ask for photographs or autographs whenever he goes to a restaurant, while some people film him without asking. He said he does not believe there is much he can do to change that.

When asked which life he preferred, he chose the one he had before the World Cup, when he played in Portugal's second tier with Chaves. He added that many people want a public profile but only see the positive side of it.

The attention has also affected his family. Supporters turn up at his mother's home in Cape Verde every day to ask for photographs or a conversation. Vozinha said he cannot help his parents from where he is now and that they will have to set their own boundaries.

Vozinha also spoke about the commercial interest that followed Cape Verde's World Cup run. He said many brands approached him during the tournament, but he agreed to only one promotional deal while the team was competing, with UFL Mobile.

He does not want to work with tobacco, alcohol, or betting companies and said he does not know what offers may come later. He also turned off his Instagram notifications so he would not keep checking who was following him.

How Vozinha Became a 28 Million-Follower Instagram Star

Vozinha had about 56,000 followers before Cape Verde's first World Cup match against Spain. He made seven saves in the 0-0 draw with Spain, who recorded 27 shots, and FIFA named him Player of the Match.

By full-time, his account had passed one million followers after Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV urged its viewers to follow him. Vozinha told The Observer that a member of the catering staff first told him about the increase, but he thought it was a joke.

A CazéTV reporter then showed him the figure in the mixed zone. ESPN reported the total reached 14 million within days and has since risen above 28 million.

Cape Verde drew all three group games on their World Cup debut, including a 2-2 draw with Uruguay, and finished second in Group H behind Spain. They lost 3-2 to Argentina after extra time in the round of 32, with Diney Borges' own goal deciding the match.

Sky Sports reported that Vozinha made eight saves. Vozinha said the exposure has one benefit. He feels like an ambassador for Cape Verde but stressed that the team's World Cup run was a collective effort.

How Is Vozinha Handling His New Role at Colo-Colo and Cape Verde?

Vozinha joined Colo-Colo as a free agent after the tournament, and the club received permission to print his nickname on his shirt despite Chile's rules on player surnames.

At his first press conference, he said he had always seen himself as a big-club player and that Colo-Colo was his priority despite other offers.

He kept clean sheets on his Copa Chile debut, a 3-0 win over Unión Española, and on his league debut, a 0-0 draw at Huachipato. The crowd at Santiago's National Stadium gave him an ovation after the Copa Chile win.

Vozinha has since been at fault for goals in two matches. He mishandled a cross in a 1-1 league draw with Deportes Concepción, allowing Norman Rodríguez to score. He was then at fault for Mali's third goal in Cape Verde's 3-1 defeat in their opening AFCON 2027 qualifying match.

Vozinha came out of his area to deal with a long ball but was caught out.

His Colo-Colo deal is tied to playing time. La Tercera and Emol reported that it runs until the end of 2026 and will extend by a year if he plays at least half of the club's available minutes.

beIN Sports reported that he is competing with Gabriel Maureira for the starting place. Vozinha's World Cup performances have also earned him a place on the 2026 Yashin Trophy shortlist.

France Football named him among the 10 goalkeepers nominated for the Yashin Trophy. The winner will be announced at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on October 26.