Cape Verde goalie's Instagram following sky-rockets after Spain draw
· Yahoo Sports
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has gained over 6 million followers on social media since his heroics kept out Spain.
The 40-year-old produced an incredible performance in Monday’s 0-0 draw in Atlanta, which has seen his following on Instagram sky-rocket from 50,000 to over 6 million.
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Only five England players in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad have more followers on the platform – Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
“That is insane, I didn’t expect that,” Vozinha told the Men in Blazers podcast of his increased social media following.
The numbers had already swelled to 1.1 million at full-time.
Vozinha said: “Things run fast on Instagram, but I didn’t believe it. I still don’t believe, but it is what it is. Thank you to everyone.
“The World Cup is the big stage in the whole of football and it is every kid’s dream to be here one day.
“When we inspire the next generation it is always good. To hear kids say one day they want to be Vozinha, I am very grateful.”
Vozinha made seven crucial saves to deny Spain, one of the favourites to win the competition.
The only goalkeeper over 40 years of age to have made more in a World Cup match was Pat Jennings with 10 for Northern Ireland against Brazil in 1986.
Cape Verde, which consists of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa, is the third smallest country by population to qualify for a World Cup, with around 500,000 living there.
As well as going viral on social media, Vozinha became the oldest goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep a clean sheet on his tournament debut.
Cape Verde return to action against Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.