Vozinha Tears To Triumph: Mom Ana Evora Gets Visa To Watch Uruguay Game Sunday
Vozinha kept Cape Verde level with Spain on Tuesday and earned a visa win off the pitch. His mom Ana Evora is traveling from Praia to Miami Stadium after the State Department stepped in following his viral interview.
Vozinha 13.7M instagram, Cape Verde keeper’s mom approved for U.S. after Spain shutout...
Cape Verde keeper Vozinha said Thursday his mom finally got her U.S. visa. Now she’ll be in the stands to watch him face Uruguay at the World Cup this weekend, and he’s over the moon.
The 40-year-old was Cape Verde’s hero vs Spain. He made a string of big saves in Atlanta on Tuesday and earned Player of the Match in their shock 0-0 draw with the European champs.
Vozinha broke down in tears after the Spain game though. His grandparents who raised him had passed, and his mom Ana Candida Evora missed his heroics because visa costs kept her in Cape Verde.
His emotional post-match interview blew up online. The U.S. State Department stepped in, and by Tuesday they confirmed Evora’s visa was approved so she can travel.
The Blue Sharks face their 2nd group match Sunday. Evora’s already en route from Praia and will be in the stands at Miami Stadium to watch her son.
Cape Verde was one of many countries hit by Trump’s $15,000 visa bond rule for U.S. entry. That requirement got waived later, but only for fans with World Cup tickets.
Vozinha’s fame exploded after Atlanta. A Brazilian TV station pushed his story and his Instagram jumped from 50K before Tuesday to 13.7M by Thursday.
Reporters asked if the buzz was a distraction. Midfielder Deroy Duarte said no - the whole squad is just happy for their keeper.
“For me, this is very important because all my family always supports me in everything,” Vozinha told reporters at the team's training camp.
“And to have her here, for me, it's something special. My father also is here, my brother, so I am very happy. I wish I could bring more, maybe my brothers and sisters and nephews, but I think sometimes it's difficult.”
Vozinha himself wants to keep things quiet. With Uruguay, another former World Cup winner, up next on Sunday, he’s staying focused with the squad instead of the hype.
“Vozinha is a very good guy,” he said. “We're all happy for him. I think this one match changed his life. So, no, it's more of a thing of happiness, and it shows what the World Cup can do, and I think that's it. We're just happy for him.”
“We are here because of football,” he said. “We are here because of the national team and because of the World Cup. So I'm very grateful for everything, but please let's speak about football.”
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