June 16, Kathmandu – After the match at Atlanta Stadium, all cameras focused on Bojinha. Tears streamed down his face. At over 40 years old, this player gave a stunning performance on the grand stage of the World Cup against a powerful team like Spain, making this reaction entirely natural. In the opening match of the World Cup, making his debut at 40, Bojinha became the hero by holding title contender Spain to a goalless draw. One day before, his name was unheard of in world football, but after his brilliant display against Spain, he has captured global attention. The African nation Cape Verde scripted a new chapter in FIFA World Cup 2026 history by holding the 2010 world champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in their first game, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Bojinha emerging as the star.
Bojinha stood like a wall against Spain. The Spanish forwards could not get past him. Despite youth star Lamin Yamal featuring in the second half, Spain could make no impact against Cape Verde. On the tiny island nation with a population under 500,000, Bojinha’s heroic performance was crucial. By frustrating Spain’s world-renowned strikers, he earned the “Player of the Match” award. Currently, Bojinha is widely discussed both in the World Cup community and on social media. His courageous play against Spain has attracted a massive following on social platforms. Despite Spain controlling over 74% of possession and attempting 27 shots on goal, Bojinha made seven outstanding saves to deny them a goal, preventing an outcome where Spain could have scored half a dozen without him.
After the match, Bojinha shared his emotions on social media, revealing that visa issues and financial constraints prevented his mother from coming to the U.S. to watch him play. He became emotional remembering his grandparents, who could not witness the match. “I cried because unfortunately my grandparents, who raised me, are not here. They mean everything to me,” he said. “My mother also could not come because of visa and cost issues. I wish she could have seen this game.” Bojinha, whose real name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, was born in Mindelo, Cape Verde. While most modern footballers start playing at a very young age, Bojinha only began his professional career at 25.
He has played for lower-division clubs in Cape Verde, Moldova, Romania, Cyprus, and Portugal. Currently, he plays for Portuguese club Chaves. Since debuting for the national team in 2012, Bojinha has made 90 appearances. Having represented his country for over a decade, he has become a vital member of the squad. His role was also decisive in qualifying Cape Verde for their first-ever World Cup. By debuting at the World Cup at 40 years and 12 days, he became the second oldest player to debut at a World Cup, after Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who debuted at 45. Bojinha emphasized that team unity is their greatest weapon. “Our biggest strength is our unity,” he said. “Many thought we were just here to enjoy, but we have a good team and we came to compete. This is our first time, but we aim to perform well.”
His Instagram followers surged dramatically. Before the match, he had about 50,000 followers; now, that number has soared past 5 million and continues to rise. Bojinha has become the biggest breakout star and internet sensation of World Cup 2026. Despite no major club contracts and at the age of 40, his determination and hard work have proven that one can carve out a place on the world stage. His remarkable performance and Cape Verde’s historic World Cup debut with this draw will forever be inscribed in World Cup history in golden letters.
