Atlético La Paz Uses Veteran Goalkeeper's World Cup Rise to Highlight Lost Promotion Value
At 40, goalkeeper Vozinha went from Portugal's second division to a standout World Cup performance and then signed with Chile's Colo-Colo. Atlético La Paz president Samuel Hernández cites this as an example of how promotion opportunities can elevate careers, contrasting with Mexico's suspended promotion and relegation system. The club is among five appealing that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Vozinha case stems from a shared ownership structure. Arturo Lomelí, founder of luxury tequila brand Clase Azul, heads the group that owns Atlético La Paz and purchased 80 percent of Portuguese club Chaves in September 2025. Vozinha played for Chaves in Portugal's second division before his World Cup breakthrough with Cape Verde, after which he signed with Chile's Colo-Colo.
Mexico's promotion and relegation suspension dates to April 2020, when the FMF halted it for six seasons through 2025-26. The 2026-27 regulations again eliminated movement between Liga MX and Expansión. Atlético La Paz joined Leones Negros, Atlético Morelia, Mineros de Zacatecas, and Cancún FC in appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Hernández says the club has lost potential signings because foreign and high-profile players seek leagues where upward mobility exists.
This dispute could reshape how second-tier Mexican clubs recruit and retain talent. Without promotion prospects, players may view Expansión as a career ceiling, pushing Mexican footballers toward foreign leagues and making it harder for clubs like La Paz to justify spending on difference-makers. The CAS appeal outcome may influence whether other clubs invest in second-division infrastructure or redirect resources elsewhere. Fans in affected markets could also see diminished competitive stakes, potentially reducing attendance and engagement if the suspension continues.