Hulk (footballer) facts for kids
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Hulk playing for Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2015
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Givanildo Vieira de Sousa | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 25 July 1986 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Campina Grande, Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Atlético Mineiro | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2000 | Serrano-PB | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Campinense | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | Vilanovense | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | São Paulo | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Vitória | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2006 | Vitória | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | → Kawasaki Frontale (loan) | 9 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2008 | Kawasaki Frontale | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | → Consadole Sapporo (loan) | 38 | (25) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | → Tokyo Verdy (loan) | 42 | (37) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Tokyo Verdy | 11 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2012 | Porto | 99 | (54) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2016 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 97 | (56) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2020 | Shanghai SIPG | 100 | (51) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2021– | Atlético Mineiro | 180 | (97) | |||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Brazil Olympic (O.P.) | 6 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2021 | Brazil | 49 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:56, 28 July 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 September 2021 |
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Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, known to everyone as Hulk, is a famous Brazilian football player. He was born on July 25, 1986. Hulk plays as a forward, which means he's usually at the front of the team, trying to score goals. Right now, he plays for a team called Atlético Mineiro.
Hulk started his professional career in Brazil and then played for three years in Japan. After that, he moved to Portugal to play for Porto. There, he won many important titles, including the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League and three national championships. He was even the top scorer in the league once.
In 2012, Hulk joined a Russian team, Zenit Saint Petersburg, for a large transfer fee. He helped them win all three major domestic trophies. He was also named the best player in the league and was its top scorer. In 2016, he moved to China to play for Shanghai SIPG.
Hulk first played for the Brazilian national team in 2009. He also played for Brazil's Olympic team in 2012, where they won a silver medal. He was part of the Brazilian team that won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. People describe him as a strong and powerful forward who is great at scoring goals. He got his nickname "Hulk" from his father, who loved the 1970s TV show about the Incredible Hulk.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Football
Hulk was born in Campina Grande, Brazil. He started his professional football journey with Vitória when he was just 16 years old. He played in many different positions, like a winger, midfielder, and even a defender.
After playing in Brazil, Hulk went to Japan. He was loaned to Consadole Sapporo in 2006, where he scored 25 goals. The next year, in 2007, he was loaned to Tokyo Verdy. He did even better there, scoring 37 goals in 42 matches and becoming the top goal scorer in the league.
Playing for Porto
After his time in Japan, Hulk moved to Portugal to join Porto in 2008. He quickly became a key player for the team. He scored his first goal for Porto in a 2–0 win against C.F. Os Belenenses. He became a regular starter, playing alongside other great attackers.
In the 2010–11 season, Hulk was amazing, scoring 16 goals in his first 16 games. He even scored three goals in one match against K.R.C. Genk. He won the "Player of the Month" award many times. On May 13, 2011, Porto bought more of Hulk's playing rights, showing how much they valued him. He ended that season with 36 goals in 53 matches, helping his team win four big titles.
In the 2011–12 season, Hulk continued to shine. He scored the winning goal against S.C. Braga, which helped Porto win another national championship. He scored 16 league goals and also provided 11 assists, which means he helped his teammates score many goals.
Time at Zenit Saint Petersburg
On September 3, 2012, Hulk moved to the Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg. He scored his first goal for Zenit in his second league match. He quickly became an important player for the team.
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Hulk scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Zenit against A.C. Milan. He also helped Zenit in the UEFA Europa League, scoring goals that helped them knock out the English team Liverpool. On May 4, 2013, he scored his first three goals in one game (a hat-trick) for Zenit.
In 2015, Hulk signed a new contract with Zenit. On May 17, his free kick helped Zenit win the league title with two games left. He was named one of the top players in the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League group stage by UEFA.
Moving to Shanghai SIPG
On June 30, 2016, Hulk joined the Chinese club Shanghai SIPG. This was a record transfer fee for Asian football at the time. He scored in his first game for Shanghai SIPG, helping his team win 5–0.
Hulk played a total of 145 games for Shanghai SIPG and scored 77 goals. He was a key player for them during his time there.
Return to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro
Winning Titles in 2021
On January 29, 2021, Hulk returned to Brazil and joined Atlético Mineiro. He made his first appearance on March 7, helping his team score a goal in a 4–0 win. On March 19, he scored his first goal for the club from a penalty kick.
Hulk started scoring many goals in the 2021 Copa Libertadores tournament. On May 22, Atlético Mineiro won the Campeonato Mineiro championship, and Hulk was chosen as one of the best players in the tournament.
In the Série A league, Hulk scored two goals in a 2–1 win against Corinthians. He continued to score important goals, and on November 21, he became the top scorer in the league. On December 2, Hulk scored a penalty that started a comeback for Atlético Mineiro, helping them win the 2021 Série A trophy. He finished the league season as the top scorer with 19 goals.
Hulk also played a big part in Atlético Mineiro winning the 2021 Copa do Brasil. He scored in eight of the ten matches, including both games of the final. He became only the second player ever to be the top scorer in both the Série A and Copa do Brasil in the same season. In 2021, Hulk was the top scorer in Brazil with 36 goals and also provided 13 assists. His amazing performance helped Atlético Mineiro win three major titles that year. He received many awards, including the Bola de Ouro, which is given to the best player in the Brazilian league.
More Championships in 2022 and 2023
In 2022, Hulk helped Atlético Mineiro win the 2022 Supercopa do Brasil by scoring a goal and then two penalties in a shootout. He was named the best player of the competition. On March 16, Hulk signed a new contract with the club. A week later, he scored two goals in a win against Caldense, becoming the top scorer at the Mineirão stadium. On April 2, Hulk scored twice in the final against Cruzeiro, helping Atlético win his fourth trophy with the club. He was the top scorer of that tournament with ten goals.
In the Série A, Hulk scored two goals in the first match against Internacional. He also scored two goals in a Copa Libertadores match, helping his team reach the next stage. In August 2023, Hulk scored against Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores, becoming Atlético Mineiro's all-time top scorer in that competition with 12 goals.
In March and April 2023, Hulk, at 36 years old, was crucial in Atlético Mineiro winning the 2023 Campeonato Mineiro. He scored in both games of the final and finished as the tournament's top scorer with 11 goals. On November 12, Hulk scored his 400th career goal in official matches.
Recent Success in 2024
On March 9, 2024, Hulk scored his 100th goal for Atlético Mineiro. He then scored in both games of the final against Cruzeiro, becoming the top scorer in the Campeonato Mineiro for the fourth time in a row, which is a new record! He has now scored ten goals in six finals for Atlético Mineiro, helping them win many games.
On July 21, 2024, just before his 38th birthday, Hulk scored his 50th Série A goal with two goals in a 2–0 win. With 114 goals for Atlético, he has now scored more goals than any other player for the club in the 21st century.
International Career
Hulk first played for the Brazilian national team on November 14, 2009, in a friendly match against England. On May 26, 2012, he scored his first three goals for Brazil in a 3–1 win against Denmark.
In July 2012, Hulk was chosen to play for the Brazilian Olympic team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He played in almost all the matches and scored a goal in the final against Mexico, where Brazil won a silver medal.
In June 2013, Hulk played for Brazil in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He was a starting player in every match, including the final, where Brazil beat Spain to win the title. He also represented Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In August 2021, Hulk was called up to the national team again after five years.
Personal Life
Hulk grew up in Campina Grande, Brazil. He was the fourth of seven children and started playing football when he was three years old, inspired by his father.
Hulk has four children: two sons named Ian and Tiago, and two daughters named Alice and Zaya.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | State league | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Vitória | 2004 | Série A | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Kawasaki Frontale (loan) | 2005 | J1 League | 9 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 3 | |||
| Consadole Sapporo (loan) | 2006 | J2 League | 38 | 25 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 41 | 26 | ||||
| Tokyo Verdy (loan) | 2007 | J2 League | 42 | 37 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 42 | 37 | ||||
| Kawasaki Frontale | 2008 | J1 League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Tokyo Verdy | 2008 | J1 League | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 14 | 8 | |||
| Porto | 2008–09 | Primeira Liga | 25 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 44 | 9 | |
| 2009–10 | Primeira Liga | 19 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 31 | 10 | ||
| 2010–11 | Primeira Liga | 26 | 23 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 7 | — | 1 | 0 | 53 | 35 | ||
| 2011–12 | Primeira Liga | 26 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | — | 2 | 0 | 39 | 21 | ||
| 2012–13 | Primeira Liga | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | ||
| Total | 99 | 54 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 42 | 14 | — | 5 | 0 | 170 | 77 | |||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | 2012–13 | Russian Premier League | 18 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | 9 | 3 | — | — | 30 | 11 | |||
| 2013–14 | Russian Premier League | 24 | 17 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 5 | — | 0 | 0 | 34 | 22 | |||
| 2014–15 | Russian Premier League | 28 | 15 | 2 | 0 | — | 15 | 6 | — | — | 45 | 21 | ||||
| 2015–16 | Russian Premier League | 27 | 17 | 4 | 2 | — | 7 | 4 | — | 1 | 0 | 39 | 23 | |||
| Total | 97 | 56 | 9 | 3 | — | 41 | 18 | — | 1 | 0 | 148 | 77 | ||||
| Shanghai SIPG | 2016 | Chinese Super League | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 5 | |||
| 2017 | Chinese Super League | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | — | 11 | 9 | — | — | 44 | 30 | ||||
| 2018 | Chinese Super League | 25 | 13 | 2 | 1 | — | 8 | 3 | — | — | 35 | 17 | ||||
| 2019 | Chinese Super League | 25 | 10 | 3 | 1 | — | 8 | 6 | — | 1 | 0 | 37 | 17 | |||
| 2020 | Chinese Super League | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | 21 | 8 | ||||
| Total | 100 | 51 | 12 | 6 | — | 32 | 20 | — | 1 | 0 | 145 | 77 | ||||
| Atlético Mineiro | 2021 | Série A | 35 | 19 | 10 | 8 | — | 12 | 7 | 11 | 2 | — | 68 | 36 | ||
| 2022 | Série A | 25 | 12 | 2 | 1 | — | 10 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 46 | 29 | ||
| 2023 | Série A | 34 | 15 | 4 | 1 | — | 10 | 3 | 11 | 11 | — | 59 | 30 | |||
| 2024 | Série A | 24 | 10 | 8 | 1 | — | 11 | 1 | 10 | 7 | — | 53 | 19 | |||
| 2025 | Série A | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 6 | 2 | 8 | 7 | — | 31 | 15 | |||
| Total | 132 | 60 | 27 | 13 | — | 49 | 18 | 48 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 257 | 129 | |||
| Career total | 532 | 291 | 71 | 32 | 10 | 3 | 164 | 70 | 48 | 37 | 8 | 1 | 833 | 434 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2009 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 6 | |
| 2013 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | 11 | |
- Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hulk goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 May 2012 | Volksparkstadion, Altona, Hamburg, Germany |  Denmark |
1–0 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 3–0 | |||||
| 3 | 9 June 2012 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States |  Argentina |
3–2 | 3–4 | Friendly |
| 4 | 7 September 2012 | Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil |  South Africa |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 10 September 2012 | Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil |  China |
4–0 | 8–0 | Friendly |
| 6 | 11 October 2012 | Swedbank Stadion, Malmö, Sweden |  Iraq |
4–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 7 | 16 November 2013 | Sun Life Stadium, Miami, United States |  Honduras |
5–0 | 5–0 | Friendly |
| 8 | 19 November 2013 | Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada |  Chile |
1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 9 | 3 June 2014 | Estádio Serra Dourada, Goiânia, Brazil |  Panama |
3–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 10 | 5 September 2015 | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States |  Costa Rica |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 11 | 8 September 2015 | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, United States |  United States |
1–0 | 4–1 | Friendly |
Goals in the Summer Olympics
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 August 2012 | Wembley Stadium, London, England |  Mexico |
1–2 | 1–2 | 2012 Summer Olympics |
Honours and Awards
Porto
- Primeira Liga: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
- Taça de Portugal: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2009, 2010, 2011
- UEFA Europa League: 2010–11
Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Russian Premier League: 2014–15
- Russian Cup: 2015–16
- Russian Super Cup: 2015
Shanghai SIPG
- Chinese Super League: 2018
- Chinese FA Super Cup: 2019
Atlético Mineiro
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2021
- Copa do Brasil: 2021
- Campeonato Mineiro: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Supercopa do Brasil: 2022
Brazil Olympic Team
- Summer Olympic Games Silver Medal: 2012
Brazil National Team
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2013
Individual Awards
- J2 League Top scorer: 2007
- LPFP Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2008–09
- LPFP Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2010–11, 2011–12
- Primeira Liga Top scorer: 2010–11
- SJPF Player of the Month: February 2009, September 2010, October 2010, December 2010, January 2011, April 2012
- Russian Premier League Top scorer: 2014–15
- Russian Premier League top assist provider: 2015–16
- Russian Premier League Forward of the Season: 2014–15
- Russian Premier League Right Winger of the Season: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16
- Russian Premier League Player of the Month: September 2013
- Footballer of the Year in Russia (Sport-Express): 2014–15
- Footballer of the Year in Russia (Futbol): 2015
- Russian Cup top assist provider: 2012–13, 2015–16
- UEFA Champions League Team of the group stage: 2015
- Chinese Super League Team of the Year: 2017, 2018
- Campeonato Mineiro Team of the Year: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- South American Team of the Year: 2021
- Best Player in Brazil (Troféu Gazeta Esportiva): 2021
- Best Right Winger in Brazil (Troféu Mesa Redonda): 2021
- Top scorer in Brazilian Football (Prêmio Arthur Friedenreich): 2021
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Player of the Year: 2021
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2021, 2023
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Top scorer: 2021
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A top assist provider: 2023
- Bola de Ouro: 2021
- Bola de Prata: 2021
- Copa do Brasil Best Player: 2021
- Copa do Brasil Top scorer: 2021
- Campeonato Mineiro Top scorer: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament: 2021
See also
In Spanish: Hulk (futbolista) para niños
