STORY: Cape Verde’s star goalkeeper Vozinha joined football greats including Brazil’s Cafu, England’s John Terry, and Argentina’s Oscar Ustari at the FIFA Legends Cup in New York on Friday (July 17), as part of the festivities leading up to the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

Speaking on the sidelines of the five-a-side exhibition tournament at Rockefeller Center, Vozinha said he hoped fans would be treated to a passionate and entertaining final.

“I just want a nice football match with a lot of passion and quality to show the fans the spirit of football and the passion we have for this sport,” he said.

The 40-year-old reflected on Cape Verde’s rise on the international stage, saying the country’s participation in the World Cup had boosted its global profile.

“Before the World Cup, we used to say we are from Cape Verde, but 90% of the population in the world didn’t know where Cape Verde is. But now everyone knows where Cape Verde is,” he said.

Former Brazil captain Cafu said both finalists had a chance of lifting the trophy after their impressive runs to the final. He described the title match as one likely to be decided by patience and mistakes. He added that Lionel Messi’s Argentina would be a serious contender, although Spain remained “a very interesting and very strong team.”

Argentina will play Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday (July 19), at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. FORMER BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL PLAYER CAFU PLAYING AT 5-A-SIDE FIFA LEGEND CUP

2. VARIOUS OF VOZINHA WARMING UP

3. FORMER ARGENTINA PLAYER OSCAR USTARI WARMING UP

4. FIFA LEGEND CUP IN PROGRESS

5. VOZINHA PLAYING

6. FIFA LEGEND CUP IN PROGRESS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CAPE VERDE'S GOALKEEPER VOZINHA, SAYING:

“I think who deserves to win will win the game. I just want a nice football match with a lot of passion and quality to show to the fans the spirit of football and the passion that we have for this sport. And in the end, who deserves to win could win the game.”

8. VOZINHA PLAYING

9. FIFA LEGEND CUP IN PROGRESS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CAPE VERDE'S GOALKEEPER VOZINHA, SAYING:

“For me, it's been an amazing journey. For me, for our country, for our people, because before the World Cup, we used to say we are from Cape Verde, but 90% of the population in the world didn't know where Cape Verde is. But now from now on, everyone knows where Cape Verde is, and for us, this is something really big.”

11. FIFA LEGEND CUP IN PROGRESS

12. FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN JOHN TERRY PLAYING

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CAPE VERDE'S GOALKEEPER VOZINHA, SAYING:

“I don't know. I want to play football for one, two years more, maybe three. How my body will react, I will see, but I'm a free agent and I'm looking for a good project, and I hope soon I can find a good team.”

14. VARIOUS OF VOZINHA PLAYING

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) FORMER BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL PLAYER CAFU, SAYING:

“Both teams have a chance to win, Spain as well as Argentina. They played great matches and achieved impressive victories in the semifinals. Now, in the final, everything is very different. It's a game where mistakes matter, a game of patience, and whoever is more patient usually ends up winning.”

16. VARIOUS OF TENNIS PLAYER NOVAK DJOKOVIC PLAYING AT FIFA LEGEND CUP

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL PLAYER DAVID TREZEGUET, SAYING:

“For this final between Argentina and Spain, it's a match everyone has been eagerly waiting for. Because of my own roots, I hope Argentina can become world champion. I'm excited to watch good football and that's the most important thing for me.”

18. FIFA LEGEND CUP IN PROGRESS

19. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL PLAYER DAVID TREZEGUET, SAYING:

“No, I believe Argentina will continue in the same way—in terms of emotion, in the way they build their play, and with a very inspired Lionel Messi. They also have extremely important support from the fans, who have been there every step of the way. So I think Argentina is a serious contender, but Spain is also a very interesting and very important team.”

20. VARIOUS OF FIFA LEGEND CUP IN PROGRESS