Rafael Maranhão
Givanildo Vieira de Souza, aka Hulk, is the latest example of a promising Brazilian player to break into European football before getting noticed by football fans, and media, in his homeland. The striker has been so influential in FC Porto’s performances so far this season that four of Portugal’s biggest football agents voted him the squad’s most valuable player, worth as much as 43 million US dollars (32,5 million euros).
The four agents were asked by Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias to evaluate both FC Porto and Manchester United teams ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash at Estádio do Dragão. Cristiano Ronaldo was the obvious choice in the English side, but Hulk’s name does not come as a surprise after he stunned Sir Alex Ferguson and Man United fans in last week’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg. Among the managers who have praised his talent are also Benfica’s Quique Flores, Arsenal’s Arsène Wenger and last but not least Brazilian national team coach Dunga.
Givanildo was given his nickname due to his strenght and resemblance to the comic book hero, and due to the green jersey of Japanese club Verdy Tokyo, where he played for two seasons. He left Brazil as a 15-year-old for trials in Portugal, included a failed one at the same FC Porto where he is a star right now. When 18 he arrived in Japan. Three and a half seasons and 70 goals later he was back to Porto, after the club payed 5,5 million euros for 50% of the playing rights. Despite all the buzz, Hulk tries to keep his feet on the ground and reminds all that he has been playing in European top level for only nine months.
“I feel like never before, this is the best moment of my career. But I know I still have a lot to improve and I want to do that. I have always said I’m no phenomenon and I have just started my career in Europe,” says the striker. When asked about the match against Manchester United, Hulk is not so humble. “We have proven this is a clash with no favourites. We have many talented players and we can face them as equals.”
Beating United will also help Hulk to become more famous in his country. Most Brazilian fans and many football pundits tend to overlook European football and ask for more opportunities to players in the local league. The fact that Dunga has chosen the opposite way and called a lot of foreign-based “unknown” players to the Seleção has made no good to his popularity. Not that the coach seems to care. The curious nickname will not help Hulk either. But so it was when he landed in Portugal last July.
