Newly discovered sea slug named after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Newly discovered sea slug Aldisa vozinhai has been named after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
- Marine biologist Jesús Ortea honoured Vozinha following his standout World Cup performances.
- The tribute links football and marine science whilst celebrating Cape Verde's historic debut.
Spanish marine biologist Jesús Ortea named the tiny red sea slug Aldisa vozinhai after the veteran goalkeeper, recognising both his outstanding displays during Cape Verde's historic tournament debut and the researcher's long-standing connection with the island nation.
The discovery, first reported by The Athletic, was formally published in Ortea's scientific work Historias de la Bioadversidad (Biodiversity Stories), which describes a previously unknown species measuring just four millimetres in length.
The mollusc was identified in Caribbean waters near Havana, Cuba, and Guadeloupe before being officially classified.
World Cup heroics inspired scientific tribute
Ortea deliberately timed the publication to coincide with the World Cup after Vozinha's remarkable performance against European champions Spain.The 40-year-old produced seven saves in a goalless draw, earning the Player of the Match award as Cape Verde collected the first World Cup point in the nation's history.
In his scientific report, Ortea explained that the sea slug's distinctive red colour was chosen to reflect Vozinha's memorable display against La Roja, Spain's famous nickname.
He also said the goalkeeper's "prominent role" during Cape Verde's historic campaign made him a fitting choice for the honour.
A thank you to Cape Verde
The naming was also deeply personal for Ortea.The University of Oviedo professor has spent years studying marine biodiversity around Cape Verde and received the country's Medal of Environmental Merit in 2023 for his contributions to scientific research across the archipelago.
Naming the newly discovered species after Vozinha was his way of expressing gratitude to the people of Cape Verde whilst celebrating one of their greatest sporting achievements.
Not the first footballer to receive the honour
This is not the first time Ortea has merged his passion for marine biology with football.In 2019, he named a newly discovered species of tiny marine sea snail after former Costa Rica and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
He has also honoured Spanish football icon Quini by naming another marine species after the former Sporting Gijón striker.
Vozinha's remarkable World Cup journey
Vozinha emerged as one of the surprise stars of the tournament as Cape Verde exceeded expectations on their World Cup debut.The experienced goalkeeper became the oldest player to feature in a nation's first-ever World Cup match at 40 years and 12 days, adding another milestone to a career that has taken him through clubs in Cape Verde, Moldova, Slovakia, Cyprus and Portugal.
He played every minute of Cape Verde's four matches, keeping another clean sheet against Saudi Arabia before producing another seven-save display in a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina in the last 32.
Cape Verde's impressive run also made them only the second smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup finals.
Social media explosion
Vozinha's performances resonated well beyond the pitch.His Instagram account experienced extraordinary growth during the tournament, rising from around 50,000 followers before Cape Verde's opening match to millions as football fans around the world celebrated his performances.
The remarkable rise cemented his status as one of the breakout stars of the World Cup and ensured his impact extended far beyond Cape Verde's historic campaign.
Now, thanks to an unusual scientific tribute, Vozinha's name will endure not only in football history but also in marine biology, with Aldisa vozinhai serving as a lasting reminder of one of the World Cup's most memorable stories.
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