Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has received an unusual honour after a newly identified marine species was named after him following his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Spanish researcher Jesus Ortea named the small red sea slug Aldisa Vozinhai in recognition of the 40-year-old goalkeeper. The mollusc, which measures about four millimetres, was previously unknown to science and was described in Ortea’s work Historias de la Bioadversidad.

Specimens of the species were found in Caribbean waters near Havana, Cuba, and the island of Guadeloupe. Ortea published findings during the World Cup, when Vozinha emerged as one of Cape Verde’s key players in its tournament debut.

The goalkeeper produced seven saves in the goalless draw against European champion Spain and was named Player of the Match. His performance helped Cape Verde secure a memorable point in its first World Cup game.

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Ortea said the tribute was also a way of thanking the people of Cape Verde. He received the country’s Medal of Environmental Merit in 2023 for his contribution to the study of marine biodiversity across the archipelago.

Vozinha has had a newly discovered marine species named in his honour. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

The professor has previously named a newly discovered species after a footballer. In 2019, he named a tiny marine snail after former Costa Rica and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Vozinha also made history by becoming the oldest player to feature in a country’s first World Cup match, aged 40 years and 12 days.

He played in all four of Cape Verde’s matches, keeping another clean sheet against Saudi Arabia as the side reached the round of 32. Vozinha made seven more saves in the 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champion Argentina.

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Published on Jul 10, 2026