Spanish biologist and football fan Jesús Ortea has named a newly discovered species of sea snail after Vozinha, the Cape Verde national team goalkeeper, in tribute to him after he stunned audiences by saving every shot on goal Spain attempted in his country's first-ever appearance at a World Cup.
Ortea discovered the small, red mollusc — which he named Aldisa vozinha — in the Caribbean Sea, and timed the announcement of the discovery to coincide with the World Cup.
In a research paper, Ortea said: "We chose the name Vozinha in honour of the Cape Verde goalkeeper, who played a prominent role in his country's first World Cup participation against Spain."
Vozinha, aged 40, became one of the tournament's standout names, helping his country reach the round of 32, when he once again delivered a distinguished performance in a thrilling defeat against defending champions Argentina after two periods of extra time.
Ortea, an honorary professor at the University of Oviedo, spent years studying the waters surrounding the Cape Verde archipelago and in 2023 received the Order of Merit from the island nation. The 75-year-old biologist's passion for football had previously manifested in his naming of marine species after former Costa Rica and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and after Kenny, a Spanish striker who played for Sporting de Gijón in the 1970s and 1980s.