Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias has gone from being a respected figure within African football to an international sensation after his heroics at the FIFA World Cup saw his social media following explode almost overnight.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper, better known by his nickname Vozinha, has reportedly gained close to 12 million Instagram followers in the space of just two days following his standout display against Spain during Cape Verde's first ever World Cup match.

Before the tournament opener, Dias had around 50,000 followers across the platform. Less than 48 hours later, that number had surged into the millions, making him one of the most talked-about players at the tournament and one of football's most unlikely viral stars.

The veteran goalkeeper played a crucial role in Cape Verde's historic 0-0 draw against Spain, producing seven important saves to deny one of the favourites for the tournament. His performance earned widespread praise from supporters, pundits and fellow professionals, with many describing it as one of the standout individual displays of the competition so far.

Dias was named Man of the Match following the result, while also receiving Player of the Game Day recognition after helping Cape Verde secure one of the biggest surprises of the group stage.

The result was particularly significant given the difference between the two nations. Spain entered the World Cup as one of the leading contenders for the trophy, while Cape Verde arrived at the tournament ranked significantly lower and making their first appearance on football's biggest stage.

Reports suggest much of Dias' online growth was accelerated by Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV, which encouraged viewers to follow the goalkeeper during its coverage of the match. The campaign quickly gained traction, introducing the Cape Verde international to millions of football fans around the world.

The remarkable rise in popularity has also shone a spotlight on Dias' long journey in the game. Despite now being one of the most recognisable faces at the World Cup, the goalkeeper spent much of his career outside the global spotlight and currently plays club football in Portugal.

Away from the pitch, Dias has also attracted attention after revealing his mother was unable to attend the historic match because of travel and visa difficulties. However, efforts have since been made to help her attend Cape Verde's next World Cup fixture, meaning a reunion could soon take place during the tournament.

As news of his social media success spread, supporters from across the world flooded comment sections to celebrate both the player and the achievement. One person commented:

“As a Cape Verde fan myself, I am so proud that the world got to see how humble and hard working our people are!!”

Another commented,

“They can delay your destiny but they can never delete your destiny!!!”

Another wrote:

“This is the beauty of the World Cup!! It has the ability to spread worldwide and creates a massive reach all over the world.”

For many football fans, Dias' story represents everything that makes the World Cup special. A player who was relatively unknown outside his home nation has suddenly found himself recognised across the globe because of one unforgettable performance. Whether his follower count continues to rise or not, his display against Spain has already secured his place as one of the tournament's most memorable stories.