World Cup 2026: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vojinha honored with new species name

After winning plaudits around the world for his World Cup performance with Cape Verde, goalkeeper Vojinha has another honor – a newly discovered species of sea snail has been named after him.

The tiny red mollusk was discovered in the Caribbean by biologist Jesus Ortea, and he chose to name it after the 40-year-old star of the Little Nations campaign.

It is now named Aldisa Vozinha.

Cape Verde is the second smallest country to reach the World Cup finals. They took Argentina all the way through the group stage Losing 3-2 in extra time, they exit the competition At last 32.

Earlier, Vozinha’s heroics saw them claim their first World Cup point with a goalless draw with European champions Spain.

In a report outlining his findings, outsiderOrtea said he wanted to mark Vozinha’s “prominent role” and noted that it also came against a team nicknamed La Roja – The Red One.

“The red color of the dedicated species is a reminder of his achievements,” his report added.

Bhojinha’s performance in that game See his fame explode overnightAnd his 50,000 Instagram followers ballooned to 17.4 million — more than athletes like NFL legend Tom Brady.

Oviedo University professor emeritus Ortea was awarded a Medal of Merit by the island nation in 2023 for his work in the waters around Cape Verde.

It’s not the first time the 75-year-old football fan has combined his passions, though.

Artia previously named a discovery in Costa Rica after the country’s former goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who also played for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Nottingham Forest.

And a miniature animal whose colors resembled Spanish team Sporting Geese was named after the club’s former striker Queenie.