After the visa controversy Vozinha’s mother will finally watch him from the stands

As many fans from around the world attend World Cup matches and witness players’ heroic performances from the stands, goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother was unable to watch her son’s achievement in person.

The Cape Verde goalkeeper, whose standout performance helped his team secure a draw against Spain, played without his mother in the stands because of the high cost of obtaining a U.S. visa.

But that has now changed. The 40-year-old goalkeeper is preparing to reunite with his mother ahead of Cape Verde’s next match against Uruguay on Sunday, after revealing to reporters, following his Player of the Match award on Monday, that she had been unable to attend the World Cup.

His mother has since been exempted from the visa fees, and her travel arrangements have been made.

Cape Verde is one of five countries participating in the tournament whose citizens are required, according to the U.S. government, to pay a refundable visa bond of around £11,000.

Vozinha has become a national hero after his performance against Spain, gaining more than 5 million new followers on social media.

At 40 years and 12 days old, Vozinha also became the oldest player to appear in his country’s first-ever World Cup match.