Vozinha finishes sixth in the 2026 Goalkeeper of the Season Ballon d’Or

Last night, during the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the iconic London Palladium Theatre, Vozinha was voted the sixth-best goalkeeper in the world.

Check out the final rankings for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Goalkeeper of the Season award:

  1. Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Bilbao)

  2. David Raya (Spain, Arsenal)

  3. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)

  4. Matvey Safonov (Russia, Paris Saint-Germain)

  5. Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa / Chelsea)

  6. Vozinha (Cape Verde, Chaves / Colo-Colo)

  7. Joan García (Spain, Barcelona)

  8. Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al-Hilal)

  9. Édouard Mendy (Senegal, Al-Ahli)

  10. Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund)

The award went to Unai Simón of Athletic Bilbao for his impressive performances for the Spanish national team at this year’s World Cup. But for Cape Verde, the tournament will also be forever linked with the name Vozinha.

A World Cup to go down in history

In Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup appearance, the experienced goalkeeper made history. With acrobatic saves, he helped the team keep a clean sheet against Spain – who went on to win the title – and Saudi Arabia. Vozinha also played a key role in the draw against Uruguay, two-time World Cup winners.

Although the small African nation were knocked out by Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the team showed their strength and gave their opponents a run for their money. Facing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Vozinha also proved he was up to the challenge, with saves that helped keep Cape Verde in the running.

His performances in the tournament have made the goalkeeper one of the great symbols of Cape Verde’s campaign. At the age of 40, he has amassed nearly 30 million followers on Instagram over the past year, becoming the world’s most popular goalkeeper. And last night, he had the opportunity to celebrate this recognition at one of football’s most important events.

From the pitch to the red carpet

Vozinha flew into London just a few hours before the ceremony began, having taken to the pitch the previous day for Colo-Colo, the club he chose to play for following his memorable World Cup campaign.

Before rushing to Santiago airport and boarding his flight to Europe, he put in yet another brilliant performance, this time against Palestino. With three spectacular saves, he helped Colo-Colo consolidate their lead at the top of the league table, showing that his fine form was not limited to the national team.

Back at the Palladium Theatre, his trademark smile appeared the moment he stepped onto the red carpet. The man who helped put his country at the centre of world football was being honoured for years of dedication, and he wasn’t about to let that moment pass unnoticed.

After signing autographs for enthusiastic fans, ‘Vozinha’ also became a fan himself and posed for photos with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Yan Diomandé.

He attended the ceremony accompanied by his younger brother, Delmiro (who is also a professional footballer), and the president of Colo-Colo, Aníbal Mosa.

The excitement continued inside the stadium. Vozinha joked with Joan García, another nominee for the Goalkeeper of the Season award, and smiled as he sat just behind the formidable French attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

An accolade that goes beyond the individual

After the ceremony, Vozinha’s characteristic humility was evident in an interview in which he celebrated his career and highlighted the significance of this recognition, both for himself and for his beloved nation: “For me and for Cape Verde, it means a great deal. It is a huge honour to be here. I just have to give thanks for everything that has happened in my life and to all my team-mates, because our World Cup campaign was something we achieved together. Long live Cape Verde!” (Instagram – Cape Verdean Football Federation)

“Long live Cape Verde!” – Vozinha

The excitement and pride were also shared by his clubs and the Cape Verdean Football Federation, who celebrated his presence and nomination for the ceremony on social media.

Colo-Colo posted on Twitter: ‘FOR US, VOZINHA IS THE WINNER! Sixth-best goalkeeper in the world, but for the Cacique, he’s number one!’ (Twitter – Colo-Colo)

Meanwhile, the Cape Verdean Football Federation highlighted the importance of this achievement for the whole country: ‘Cape Verdean football reached yet another high point on Monday, 26 October. During the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, the world saw Josimar Dias, known as Vozinha, recognised as the sixth-best goalkeeper in the world this season. This accolade honours not only Cape Verdean football and the Cape Verdean Football Federation, but an entire nation. The Cape Verdean Football Federation congratulates Vozinha on this career achievement.’ (Instagram – Cape Verdean Football Federation)

For Vozinha, finishing sixth in the Ballon d’Or is more than just an individual achievement. It is recognition of a career built on dedication and perseverance, crowned by a historic World Cup. By representing Cape Verde on football’s biggest stage, he helped to show the world the strength of a nation and won the affection of fans far beyond its borders.