After World Cup exit: Vozinha swaps jersey with Messi

For football minnows Cape Verde, the World Cup fairytale has come to an end after a dramatic 2:3 extra-time defeat against Argentina in the Round of 16. To the match report >>>

Immediately after the final whistle, goalkeeper Vozinha was able to celebrate a very special moment.

The 40-year-old exchanged his jersey with superstar Lionel Messi after the match – and was also praised with kind words by the Argentine captain.

"Your people should be proud of you"

"I went to Messi after the game. He hugged me and said: 'You are great, your people should be proud of you.' That was incredible for me," Vozinha recounts the conversation.

"Hearing such words from someone like Leo Messi means a lot to me. I thanked him and said: 'Thank you, Leo, you are the best.'"

Subsequently, the Cape Verdean shot-stopper asked the world star if they could swap jerseys.

"Leo said he would give me his jersey after the interviews in the player tunnel. Moments like these are etched in your heart forever," Vozinha recounts.

Vozinha became an internet phenomenon

Vozinha had made headlines worldwide at the World Cup. Especially after his outstanding performance in the goalless draw against Spain in the first group match, the 40-year-old became an internet phenomenon. On Instagram, the Cape Verdean national goalkeeper now has more than 20 million followers.