Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has spoken candidly about the pressures that have come with his sudden rise to global recognition, admitting he wishes he could return to his quieter life before the spotlight found him.

The shot-stopper became a viral sensation during the World Cup, attracting widespread attention from football fans around the world. But behind the social media buzz and public recognition, Vozinha says the experience has been far more difficult to navigate than most people might expect.

"I'd choose the life I had before," the goalkeeper told ESPN FC, capturing just how much the newfound fame has weighed on him.

Cape Verde, a small island nation off the coast of West Africa, has punched well above its weight on the international football stage in recent years. Vozinha's moment in the spotlight brought fresh attention to the Tubarões Azuis — but for the man himself, the attention has proved overwhelming rather than welcome.

His comments offer a rare and honest glimpse into the personal toll that viral fame can take on an athlete, particularly one who came from a modest background without the infrastructure of a major football nation behind him. Sudden global recognition, without the support systems that players at elite clubs typically enjoy, can be an isolating experience.

Vozinha's story resonates with many African footballers who find themselves thrust into the international spotlight without the resources or guidance to manage what follows. The fame arrived fast — and, by his own account, it has not been easy to carry.