Before the match between Argentina and Cape Verde in the round of the last 32, a small but meaningful story was told. Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper, had announced before the tournament that one of his lifelong dreams was to play against Lionel Messi. And if possible, he would love to exchange shirts with the player he considers the “greatest of all time”.
For many, it was just a cute interview from an underdog. But when the match began, a story unfolded that went beyond that.
Messi put Argentina ahead in the 29th minute, his 20th goal at a World Cup, a new record. After that, however, Vozinha became an almost impenetrable wall that Messi could not break through.
In the 63rd minute, he stopped a one-on-one attempt by the Argentine captain. In the 72nd minute, he saved a free kick from Messi from just outside the box. In stoppage time, Messi was given another promising free kick. The stage was set for another moment of magic from Messi.
But Vozinha stood in the way and saved again. In total, Vozinha made 8 saves in the 90 minutes and finished the tournament with 25 saves, more than any other goalkeeper. Cape Verde lost 2–3 in extra time, but they forced the world champions to fight until the very last second.
After the match, many wanted to know whether Vozinha had gotten Messi’s shirt. The answer was yes.
A reporter asked him: “After the match, you went to Messi. What did you both say?” Vozinha replied: “I went up to him, but before I could say anything, Messi hugged me.”
“He said, ‘You played great. You are a fantastic goalkeeper and people should be proud of you.’
“That meant a lot to me, especially when such words come from someone like Leo.”
Then Vozinha replied: “Thank you, Leo. You are the best. And then I asked him if I could have his shirt.”
“He smiled and said: ‘Of course, I’ll give it to you in the tunnel.’”
A brief moment between two players. One a world champion, the other a goalkeeper from a country of only half a million inhabitants. But on the pitch they were equals. Messi scored, Vozinha saved. Cape Verde fought on into extra time. And in the end, a 40-year-old man who had said that just meeting Messi was a dream left the World Cup with the number 10 shirt in his hands.
