A new species of sea snail has been named after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha following his standout performance at the FIFA World Cup. The discovery was made by Spanish biologist Jesus Ortea, who announced the finding in a paper shared on ResearchGate. The timing of the discovery played a major role in the name he chose. As football fans were talking about Cape Verde’s impressive World Cup run, Ortea decided to honor the veteran goalkeeper by naming the tiny red sea snail Aldisa vozinha. The scientist, who is known for mixing his love of football with his research, said the naming was a tribute to Vozinha’s contribution during the tournament, particularly in Cape Verde’s memorable draw against Spain.
Why Jesus Ortea named the new species Aldisa vozinha after goalkeeper Vozinha
According to the ResearchGate report, Ortea identified a previously unknown species of small red sea snail in the Caribbean. The discovery happened around the same time that the World Cup was getting underway, with Cape Verde attracting attention for its performances on the global stage.That connection led Ortea to choose a football-inspired name. He named the species Aldisa vozinha, honoring Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar Dias.In the paper, Ortea explained his reasoning in clear terms.“We have chosen the name vozinha in honour of Vozinha, who played a prominent role in his country’s World Cup debut against The Reds (Spain). The colouration of the species is intended as a tribute to that achievement.”Vozinha became one of the talking points of Cape Verde’s campaign after helping his side secure a 0-0 draw against Spain. His performance earned praise from supporters and football observers, helping raise the profile of both the player and his national team.For Ortea, the decision also carried a personal element. The scientist has a long connection with Cape Verde and its marine environment. In 2023, he received the country’s Medal of Merit in recognition of his scientific work in waters around the island nation.
Jesus Ortea’s history of combining football and scientific discoveries
This is not the first time Ortea has linked football with one of his discoveries.Over the years, the Spanish biologist has named several species after football figures he admires. One species was named after former Spanish striker Quini, while another discovery in Costa Rica was named in honor of former Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.His latest discovery continues that tradition. Rather than choosing a scientific reference or geographical name, Ortea opted for a tribute connected to a major sporting moment.Although Cape Verde’s World Cup journey eventually ended in a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina, the team left a strong impression during the tournament. Vozinha, in particular, received widespread recognition for his performances between the posts.The naming of Aldisa vozinha means that his World Cup contribution will now be remembered in an unusual way beyond football. While one achievement belongs to sport and the other to science, Ortea’s decision has brought the two worlds together through the name of a newly identified marine species.
