Vozinha swaps World Cup heroics for Spider-Man jersey as Colo Colo nickname battle looms

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has fronted a Sony Pictures Brazil promotional campaign for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, donning a Spider-Man jersey and urging his 29.6 million Instagram followers to see the film — a following that stood at under 50,000 before the World Cup began.

The 40-year-old’s arrival at Colo Colo, Chile’s most decorated club, was delayed beyond the expected Wednesday date due to unresolved paperwork, with the club hopeful of a Thursday arrival.

But the bigger administrative hurdle may be off the pitch. Regulations from Chile’s National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) require players to use their legal surname on the back of their jersey, which would prevent Vozinha — whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias — from wearing the nickname that made him a global phenomenon. The moniker, meaning “grandma” in Portuguese, is a tribute to the woman who raised him.

Under ANFP rules, “nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets will not be permitted” in domestic competition. Players who breach the rule receive an administrative yellow card, and clubs face fines of up to $875. Colo Colo has formally requested an exemption from the Council of Presidents, the body made up of top executives from Chilean clubs. A vote is expected on Friday, and the decision must be unanimous for Vozinha to wear his nickname.

A separate question concerns his squad number. The traditional goalkeeper slots are already taken, with Argentine Fernando de Paul occupying the No. 1 shirt.

Vozinha’s rise to global stardom came during a remarkable World Cup run with debutant Cape Verde. He kept a clean sheet against eventual champions Spain in the group stage before producing a string of spectacular saves against Argentina in the round of 32, where Cape Verde fell 3-2.

His signing has generated significant excitement in Chile, where the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after finishing bottom of the South American qualifiers. Colo Colo is hoping the move will raise the club’s international profile and unlock major commercial opportunities — a prospect already underscored by Vozinha’s starring role in the Sony campaign.