In brief
After earning worldwide praise for his World Cup performance, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has gained a scientific honour: a small red sea slug discovered in the Caribbean has been named Aldisa vozinha. The species’ bright colour echoes both the player’s last‑minute heroics and the nickname of the Spanish side he stopped. Biologist Jesus Ortea, a professor of Oviedo, has a history of naming marine fauna after football stars, and he sees this naming as a tribute to Vozinha’s prominent role. The slug’s discovery highlights a creative intersection between sports and marine biology, with the Cape Verde nation already noted for its impressive tournament run.
After earning wide acclaim for his World Cup performances with Cape Verde, goalkeeper João Vozinha has received a new honour – a freshly discovered species of sea slug has been named for him.
The bright red mollusc was found in the Caribbean by biologist Jesús Ortea, who chose the name Aldisa vozinha to honour the 40‑year‑old goalkeeper’s decisive role in the tiny nation’s campaign.
Among Cape Verde’s most memorable moments was their goalless draw with European champions Spain, where Vozinha’s seven saves preserved a clean sheet and secured the country’s first World Cup point.
Ortea, professor emeritus at the University of Oviedo, noted that the slug’s vivid red colour “reminds of the player’s feat” and that the naming also nods to the Spanish side’s nickname, La Roja.
Vozinha’s heroic match sent his fame through the internet’s strata, his Instagram following jumping from 50,000 to 17.4 million in a matter of days.
In 2023 Ortea received a Medal of Merit from Cape Verde for his work in the waters surrounding the islands, a recognition that pairs well with his interest in aligning scientific discovery with sporting achievement.
He has previously named other marine species after football icons: a Costa Rican discovery received the name of former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and a creature with colours matching Spanish club Sporting Gijón was dubbed after striker Quini.
