In brief
Cape Verde goalkeeper Pedro Vozinha earned a new honor after a memorable World Cup showing: a recently discovered Caribbean sea slug, new species Aldisa vozinha, has been named in his favour. The tiny mollusc, described by Spanish biologist Jesus Ortea, honours that goalie’s red‑earth performances against Spain and Spain’s nickname La Roja. Vozinha’s career—notably his 40‑year‑old debut in a thrilling 0-0 draw—has already swelled his Instagram following, but the sea‑slug naming adds a scientific twist to his fame.
Aldisa vozinha, a small red sea slug discovered in the Caribbean, has been christened after Cape Verde goalkeeper Pedro Vozinha following his standout performances in the 2026 World Cup.
The mollusc was first identified by biologist Jesus Ortea, who chose the name to honour the 40‑year‑old savior of Cape Verde’s football squad. The name also references the slug’s vivid red hue, a nod to the match against Spain — the “La Roja” — where Vozinha made seven saves to preserve a clean sheet.
After Cape Verde’s historic run to the last 32, where they lost 3‑2 to Argentina in extra‑time, Vozinha’s heroic shows earned him worldwide acclaim. He made world news with a goalless draw against European champions Spain, and his Instagram following exploded from 50,000 to 17.4 million in the days following the game.
In a report detailing his work, Ortea noted that the red colour "reminds [the public] of his feat," and added that the discovery followed similar naming traditions. For instance, Ortea previously named another creature spotted in Costa Rica after former goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and a small species resembling the colours of Spanish side Sporting de Gijón was named after former striker Quini.
Professor emeritus Jesus Ortea earned a Medal of Merit from Cape Verde in 2023 for his research on the island’s marine life, illustrating the strong links between sports legends and scientific discoveries.
