Hulk (footballer)
A powerhouse forward with a thunderous left foot, known for bulldozing runs from the wing and spectacular long-range strikes that defy physics.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Brazilian footballer·Birthday: July 25·Millennials
Biography
Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, nicknamed 'Hulk' for his imposing physique as a youth player, forged a career as one of football's most uniquely thrilling attackers. His game is a spectacle of raw power and technical audacity. Starting as a rampaging left winger, he would routinely cut inside onto his cannon-like left foot, unleashing shots that became a highlight-reel staple. His journey took him from Brazil to Japan, where he honed his skills, before a transformative period at Porto cemented his reputation in Europe. A big-money move to Zenit St. Petersburg saw him become a club icon, dominating the Russian league. Later chapters in China and back in Brazil with Atlético Mineiro showed his enduring ability to decide games with moments of individual brilliance. Hulk's presence on the pitch is unmistakable, a blend of strength, speed, and a shooting technique that goalkeepers fear.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Hulk was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hulk Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Hulk's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won four Russian Premier League titles and the UEFA Europa League with FC Porto.
- Named Russian Footballer of the Year three times during his tenure with Zenit Saint Petersburg.
- Led Atlético Mineiro to a historic Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Copa do Brasil double in 2021.
- Scored over 100 goals for Zenit Saint Petersburg, becoming one of the club's greatest foreign players.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Hulk' was given by his father because of his resemblance to the TV character as a child, not the Marvel superhero.
He is a trained jiu-jitsu practitioner and has a black belt in the martial art.
He played futsal professionally in his early teens before switching to football.
He is known for his meticulous free-kick routine, which involves a distinctive, powerful run-up.
“My power comes from God, but the knuckleball shot I practiced every single day.”
