Vozinha Is 40 and Available. History Says Someone May Still Pay

"He is 40 years old, but it can be an opportunity on the pitch but also off the pitch." That's how Fabrizio Romano summed up the remarkable position Vozinha now finds himself in. 

Just weeks ago, the Cape Verde goalkeeper was an out-of-contract veteran preparing to leave Portuguese second-tier side Chaves after spending virtually his entire career away from the spotlight. A World Cup later, the 40-year-old is on several clubs' radar. 

And if history has taught the transfer market anything, it's that proven veterans still command attention—and sometimes, one last significant payday.

Who Is Josimar José Évora Dias, aka Vozinha?

Josimar José Évora Dias, better known as Vozinha, built his career the hard way, grinding through the game’s less glamorous outposts across Europe and Africa, with stops at Gil Vicente, Arouca, Zimbru Chisinau, Mafra, and, most recently, Chaves. He made his Cape Verde debut in 2012 and went on to feature in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, stacking up 94 caps along the way—second all-time for his country behind only attacker Ryan Mendes.

Then, at 40 years old, soccer handed him the biggest stage imaginable. 

"I have worked my whole life for this moment. I'm 40 years old. I started playing football professionally when I was 25, in 2012. I thought about leaving, but I continued because of this dream.” Vozinha said after being named Player of the Match against Spain.

The veteran goalkeeper piled up 18 saves in four matches as the Blue Sharks held Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws and blanked two-time world champions Spain with a flawless display (seven saves on seven shots faced). On paper, virtually all soccer betting sites had the tiny African archipelago written off before kickoff.

In the Round of 32, Cape Verde nearly pulled off one of the biggest World Cup betting upsets in soccer history, pushing Argentina into extra time after twice erasing one-goal deficits. Bubista’s men looked destined for a penalty shootout until Diney Borges' cruel deflected own goal in the 111th minute brought one of the tournament's greatest underdog runs to a heartbreaking end. Vozinha played a defining role throughout the night and turned away Lionel Messi four times before the two exchanged shirts at the final whistle.

By the time Cape Verde's remarkable journey was over, the goalkeeper who entered the tournament with roughly 50,000 Instagram followers had become a worldwide sensation, now had an audience that climbed beyond 25 million.

Vozinha's latest transfer rumours

Vozinha's stock has skyrocketed since the World Cup, and clubs have wasted little time making their move. According to Fabrizio Romano, free-transfer interest has already materialized, with Brazilian Série B sides Avaí FC and Atlético Goianiense both pursuing the 40-year-old goalkeeper. Romano described the move as an opportunity both on the field and off it, citing Vozinha's remarkable performances and newfound global reach. ESPN and Marca later linked the Cape Verde international with Inter Miami. The move would reunite him with Lionel Messi just weeks after their memorable World Cup meeting.

5 veteran players who landed major contracts late in their careers

But how likely is it that a 40-year-old can still land an attractive contract? If the last few years are any indication, odds are better than you might think. 

We're in an era where recruitment teams increasingly value what players bring beyond the pitch, a philosophy that projects like Wrexham’s have helped bring into the spotlight. Leadership, star power, and commercial appeal have become huge motivators.

Time and again, clubs have shown they're willing to invest in proven veterans. Here are five players who secured notable moves at—or remarkably close to—the age of 40.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Okay, this is Cristiano Ronaldo we’re talking about ... and yes, Messi’s Inter Miami deal could have easily gone in this spot. I went with the Portuguese because the scale of Al Nassr's commitment after his 40th birthday was simply extraordinary.

In June 2025, the Saudi club handed Ronaldo a new two-year contract through 2027 reportedly worth close to $600 million, complete with a $32 million signing bonus and a 15% ownership stake. The deal also had bonuses for goals, assists, the Saudi Pro League title, and the Golden Boot, plus a private jet and a 16-person household staff. His base salary alone was pegged at around $290 million per year, roughly $5.6 million every week. And that's before taxes—or rather, the lack of them. As per PwC, Saudi Arabia does not impose personal income tax on employment income.

2. Luke Modrić (AC Milan)

Luka Modrić looked destined to finish his career at Real Madrid. Across 13 seasons, he made 591 appearances, won six UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga crowns, and famously ended the Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d'Or monopoly in 2018. Multiple reports said the Croatian was willing to accept another deal, and even a reduced role, but Los Blancos chose to accelerate its midfield transition with Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler already in place.

As soon as the news broke, AC Milan wasted little time. Weeks before his 40th birthday, Modrić arrived on a free transfer and signed a one-year contract worth $3.4 million, with an option through 2027. Sporting director Igli Tare later revealed the club specifically targeted the Croatian to address a lack of leadership in the dressing room, describing him as "an important figure" and "the point of reference" for a young squad in need of authority and experience. 

The investment paid off on the field, too. Modrić finished his first Serie A season with 34 appearances, two goals, three assists, and more than 2,800 league minutes. He also collected multiple Man of the Match awards and became the oldest player ever to score a non-penalty goal in Serie A.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimović (AC Milan)

Five years before signing Luka Modrić, AC Milan made another high-profile gamble on experience. In January 2020, the Rossoneri brought 38-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimović back on a free transfer after the Swedish striker and LA Galaxy mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the MLS season. He was initially handed a six-month contract worth roughly $2.4 million. What followed was an 11-goal, five-assist return in just 20 appearances across all competitions, helping propel Milan from 11th in Serie A to a second-place finish and their first UEFA Champions League qualification in seven years.

The following season, Ibrahimović deservedly earned another one-year contract, this time on an $8 million salary. He was among Milan's highest-paid players despite approaching his 39th birthday and repaid that faith with 15 Serie A goals in 19 appearances despite recurring injuries. 2022-23 was the one renewal that didn't pay off. After undergoing major ACL surgery, Ibrahimović spent most of the season on the sidelines and eventually retired when his contract expired.