As it turns out, getting Instagram followers is simple. As Cape Verde goalie Vozinha proved on Monday, June 15, all one has to do is become a national (and international) hero in the biggest soccer match of their life.
Before Cape Verde's national soccer team made their World Cup debut, Vozinha – also known as Josimar Dias – had 45,000 followers on Instagram. As of 5:30 p.m. on June 15, his account has surpassed 2.7 million followers.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper (Vozinha roughly translates to "granny") from Cape Verde became a celebrity in the span of 90 minutes when he held the Spanish national team to zero goals in a 0-0 draw. The draw earned the small archipelagic nation its first World Cup point in its first-ever World Cup match.
VOZHINA! Cape Verde goalkeeper makes unbelievable saves vs. Spain in World Cup