Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has rapidly become something of a superstar following his Player of the Match display on Monday as the Blue Sharks shut out 2010 champions Spain in what was their FIFA World Cup debut.
The 40-year-old, who most recently played for Portuguese second-tier side G.D. Chaves, was clearly emotional after the game, waving his nation's flag after what was easily the biggest upset of the tournament so far, and one of the biggest upsets in recent World Cup memory.
Unfortunately, as Vozinha revealed after the game, his mom was unable to attend the game due to a visa issue , telling reporters, via The Athletic , "I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries has revealed that he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have worked together to ensure Vozinha's mom receives the visa needed to travel to see her son play -Credit:Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
"They passed away a few years ago. My mom could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it. We did not manage to do this in time."
But while Vozinha's mom may have missed his World Cup debut, senior Democrats and Republicans have come together, along with FIFA and the government of Cape Verde, to ensure she won't have to miss out in the future.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, revealed that he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had worked together to clear a path for Vozinho's mom to travel to America.
"On the strength of an epic performance on Monday by its goalkeeper, Josimar "Vozinha" Dias, the Cabo Verde national football team shocked and inspired the world by holding Spain to a draw during their World Cup debut," he wrote.
"Cape Verdeans in America and throughout the diaspora have been celebrating the underdog grit and resilience of the Blue Sharks, joined by soccer fans from nations throughout the globe.
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"That joy was tempered a bit when Vozinha tearfully revealed that his own mother was unable to watch her son's iconic performance in person due to visa complications. No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history.
"Upon learning of this development, I spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and asked the State Department to do everything in their power to ensure that his mother can attend Cabo Verde's next match.
"It is a privilege to announce that Vozinha's mom will be able to secure a visa in time to attend their game this Sunday against Uruguay. All fees have been waived consistent with official policy. Travel arrangements are now being made for mother and son to reunite in Miami.
"I thank Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the government of Cabo Verde and FIFA for working together to make this possible. Nos ki dan."
Cape Verde are scheduled to take on Uruguay on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, after which they will close out their group stage against Saudi Arabia on June 26 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. And it seems safe to assume there will be plenty of fans cheering Vozinha and Co. on from afar, with his Instagram following having shot up from a respectable 50,000 prior to the Spain game, to 12.5 million as of Wednesday afternoon.
