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In a striking illustration of football’s global reach, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has amassed 16.8 million Instagram followers. This is more than any active player in the NFL, MLB, or NHL.
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The 40-year-old star, who began the tournament with roughly 50,000 followers, saw his social media profile explode after Cape Verde’s impressive group-stage displays, including a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Spain in their World Cup debut. Now, the tiny island nation of around 500,000 people prepares for a daunting last-32 knockout tie against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha outshines US sports stars on Instagram ahead of Argentina clash
Ever since his heroics against Spain in the opener by holding the World Cup winners to a 0-0 draw, Vozinha has seen an increase in followers, which has continued ever since. Should Vozinha keep a clean sheet against the world champions, Argentina, his follower count and fame could skyrocket even further.
Vozinha’s rapid rise highlights the universal appeal of the beautiful game, turning an unheralded hero from Cape Verde into one of the tournament’s most unlikely social media sensations. They are all set to face the defending champions in the important fixture.
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