Josimar ‘Vozinha’ Dias #1

Profile

One of the living legends of Cape Verdean football and, along with Ryan Mendes, the only player to play at every major tournament Cape Verde have featured in, Josimar ‘Vozinha’ Dias is a national treasure. Arguably the country’s most beloved footballer, he only left the country at 25, turning professional when he signed for Angolan side Progresso do Sambizanga. Six months later he made his Cape Verde debut in a 2-0 win against Cameroon that helped to send the country to their first ever Afcon in 2013. “The first game he played I was scared because I didn't know what he was capable of,” Fernando Neves, Vozinha’s captain and centre back on the day, told the Guardian. “But after 10 minutes I wasn't scared. For me he's the best goalkeeper in Cape Verde's history.” Now Vozinha will make his World Cup bow just a week after turning 40.

Key stats