From the barrio to the world stage: Vozinha in Senda Cleats

Today, the world is discovering Vozinha. And as he represents Cape Verde on fútbol's biggest stage, he does so wearing Senda cleats. The first and only Fair Trade Certified soccer cleats in the world —along with Senda Gravity Grip Socks.

  • Goalkeeper Vozinha leaping to catch a soccer ball in front of a crowd with senda Cleats.

    Vozinha wearing the Senda Mendoza™ Elite Cleats during Cape Verde's World Cup debut against Spain.

  • Soccer player Vozinha in action on a field with one in yellow and white gloves holding a soccer ball; wearing Senda Cleats and grip socks.

    Vozinha in action during Cape Verde's historic World Cup debut.

  • Senda soccer cleats with Cape Verde customization.

    The boots worn by Vozinha on the World Cup stage.

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Vozinha, Soccer player in yellow holding a Cape Verde flag on a green field at the world cup.

But long before the World Cup, before the headlines, before the spotlight, he was just a kid playing in the streets of São Vicente, Cape Verde.

A kid raised by his grandparents.

A kid who kept showing up.

A kid who learned the game the same way millions of us do: in the neighborhood, with friends, on whatever surface was available, playing because he loved it.

That is why his story matters.

Not because of a scoreline.

Not because of a save.

Because it reminds us where fútbol comes from.

Vozinha soccer player in action on a green field with a ball wearing Senda Soccer cleats and grip socks.

At Senda, we believe the game belongs to the people who play it. The kids in the streets. The dreamers. The competitors. The ones who keep going even when nobody is watching.

Vozinha's journey reflects that spirit.

From Cape Verde to the world's biggest stage, his path was never about shortcuts. It was built through years of persistence, sacrifice, and love for the game.

Vozinha and Santiago Halty standing in a lobby holding a Senda shoe box, one wearing a black 'Futbol' t-shirt and the other in a white 'Cabo Verde' t-shirt.

As Vozinha prepared to represent Cape Verde on fútbol's biggest stage, Senda Founder & CEO Santiago Halty personally delivered the boots he would wear during the tournament—a small reflection of the care, effort, and attention that goes into supporting the athletes who trust our products.

The boots were customized by artist Diego Pires, @blooting_oficial, incorporating the Cape Verde crest with it’s iconic blue shark.

In interviews, Josimar Dias 'Vozinha' has explained that his nickname "Vozinha" comes from his childhood and the grandparents who raised him. "Vozinha" is an affectionate Portuguese term that roughly translates to "little grandmother" or "grandma". As a child, neighborhood kids would tease him for going back to his grandparents after getting knocked around while playing in the street. Years later, that childhood nickname became the name the world knows.

A reminder that no matter how far fútbol takes you, your roots stay with you.

Today, as he represents Cape Verde in its first-ever World Cup appearance, we are proud to see him wearing Senda.

Not because he is on the biggest stage.
But because he never forgot where he came from.
From the neighborhood to the world.
That's fútbol.
That's why we play.

We Play Fútbol.

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