Portugal goalkeeper Vazeca: I wish to return to my life before fame

Guinea-Bissau national team goalkeeper Vaz, who is nicknamed “The Green Cape,” revealed the other side of the sudden fame he garnered during the 2026 World Cup, confirming that his life has changed dramatically since his standout performance in the tournament. The 40-year-old goalkeeper stole the spotlight after making seven saves and keeping a clean sheet against Spain in a goalless draw. His Instagram followers surged from around 50,000 before the tournament to nearly 30 million within a few days.

Before the World Cup, Vaz lived a relatively low-profile life, playing in the Portuguese second division for Chaves, until his World Cup participation turned his life upside down. He finished the tournament with 18 saves, achieving a success rate of 78%.

Vaz said he no longer enjoys the privacy and tranquility he had before his rise to fame. He explained that when he goes out to restaurants or public places, people approach him to take photos or ask for autographs, while others photograph him without his permission. He added that the biggest change in his life has been the loss of peace and calm, noting that if he had to choose between his current life and his pre-fame life, he would opt for the latter.

He also revealed that the sudden surge in his follower count was shocking to him, forcing him to turn off Instagram notifications so he wouldn’t become preoccupied with watching the numbers keep rising.