OFFICIAL: The 'Giant' reaches 500 career goals

Striker Hulk netted his 500th career goal during the Atlético Mineiro game against Bahia, a historic achievement that continues to highlight his legendary standing in Brazilian soccer.

Brazilian forward Hulk once again demonstrated his skill and resilience by scoring his 500th career goal in the match between Atlético Mineiro and Bahia on November 6 (Vietnam time).

The historic goal came in the 66th minute of the second half during the 32nd round of the Brazilian Serie A. In this play, Hulk’s initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Ronaldo, but the rebound fell perfectly for him to quickly strike again, sending the ball into the net to open the scoring for Atlético Mineiro.

That goal not only put his team ahead but also marked Hulk’s rare achievement of 500 career goals, a remarkable feat in modern football.

According to statistics, Hulk is just one goal away from matching Marques, who ranks 10th among the greatest scorers in Atlético Mineiro’s history. This is a well-deserved reward for the consistent effort and steady performance of the player who, at 39 years old, remains the leading figure in the team’s attack.

Out of the total 500 goals, 439 were scored in official club matches, along with 11 goals in friendly matches for the Brazilian national team. Additionally, he has 1 goal representing Brazil’s Olympic team.

Hulk’s career spans several continents, from Asia to Europe and back to South America, leaving his mark everywhere with his persistent goal-scoring ability. He began his professional career at Vitória before moving to Japan where he played for Kawasaki Frontale, Consadole Sapporo, and Tokyo Verdy, scoring a total of 74 goals in 111 matches.

Hulk’s name gained worldwide recognition when he joined FC Porto, where he scored 95 goals and provided 33 assists in 186 matches, playing a key role in helping the Portuguese club win 4 league titles, 1 Europa League, and 3 domestic cups.

He then transferred to Zenit Saint Petersburg, maintaining his form with 94 goals and 60 assists in 179 matches before moving to China to play for Shanghai SIPG, scoring 93 goals in 158 games.

Since returning to Brazil in 2021 with Atlético Mineiro, Hulk has kept up steady performance with 132 goals and 50 assists in 281 matches, helping the club secure multiple domestic titles.

To date, Hulk has played 972 matches, including 917 official games, scored 500 goals, and won a total of 24 major and minor trophies. With these impressive figures, Hulk deserves recognition as one of the most effective and enduring strikers of his generation.