New sea snail species named in honor of Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha

Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha has received an unusual honor after a newly identified marine species was named after him following his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Spanish researcher Jesus Ortea named the little red sea snail Aldisa Vozinhai in recognition of the 40-year-old goalkeeper. The mollusk, which measures about four millimeters, was previously unknown to science and was described in Ortea’s work Stories of biological adversity.

Specimens of the species have been found in Caribbean waters near Havana, Cuba and the island of Guadeloupe. Ortea published findings during the World Cup, as Vozinha emerged as one of Cape Verde’s key players in his tournament debut.

The goalkeeper produced seven saves in the goalless draw against European champions Spain and was named Player of the Match. His performance helped Cape Verde secure a memorable point in its first World Cup match.

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Ortea said the tribute was also a way to thank the people of Cape Verde. He was awarded the country’s Medal of Environmental Merit in 2023 for his contribution to the study of marine biodiversity in the archipelago.

The professor previously named a newly discovered species after a football player. In 2019, he named a small sea snail after former Costa Rica and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Vozinha also made history by becoming the oldest player to feature in a country’s first World Cup match, aged 40 years and 12 days.

He played in all four of Cape Verde’s matches and again kept a clean sheet against Saudi Arabia as the team reached the round of 16. Vozinha made a further seven saves in the 3–2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina.

Published on July 10, 2026