BRAZILIAN footballer Hulk is set to be a daddy once again – with his ex-wife’s niece.
The former Shanghai SIPG star, 35, who once earned a whopping £16.6million-per-year playing in China, announced his wife Camila is expecting his fourth child in an Instagram post on Monday.
But while they’re happy and smiling now, their relationship was born out of controversy.
Gorgeous Camila, 32, is incredibly the niece of the former Porto ace’s ex-wife, Iran Angelo.
Hulk, who now stars for Atletico Mineiro, was married to Iran for 12 years before he ditched her for the Brazilian model.
It was a romance that stunned the South American football world, and seemingly caused a massive betrayal.
KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY
The bodybuilding forward, real name Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, was believed to have ended his marriage some time in 2019.
Shortly after, reports linked Hulk to Iran’s beautiful niece Camila Angelo.
By March 2020, he wrote on his social media bio that he was ‘married’ again.
The couple then posted several pictures together since wearing what appear to be wedding rings.
Argentine newspaper Infobae later revealed ‘sudden marriage was also due to’ the fact Camila ‘needed a visa to stay in the country (China)’.
A representative of the former Brazil ace confirmed the relationship to Brazilian website UOL Esporte at the time, claiming that his position was ‘transparent’.
The statement read: “Hulk called Camila’s parents and brother to tell them the truth. They began dating in October.
“It was Hulk himself who made the news public because he did not want to hide anything. His position is transparent.”
Camila was reportedly Iran’s ‘favourite niece’, with the pair sharing many happy pictures together on Instagram.
She posted a lengthy message to Iran on what appeared to be her official Instagram, explaining the new relationship.
Camila wrote: “Aunt Iran, I first want to tell you that this message is not an explanation or justification of anything.
“I needed to tell you some things that unfortunately circumstances do not allow me to say personally.
“Although it is irrelevant to you now, I love you very much and care about you, so I am speaking here.
“I really want you to know things that maybe everyone will talk about differently, mere speculation, but I don’t really judge them because outsiders know absolutely nothing and most of the time just want the situation to be worse.
“It’s been very hard to face all this, but I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t true.
“I never imagined it could happen, but we don’t rule our heart, no one is immune or exempt from it. Live the greatest of feelings.
“I’m sorry for everything. If I could choose, we wouldn’t be going through this, but life doesn’t spin the way we imagine it to.
“He showed me that there was no chance of a possible return, so we allowed ourselves to live.”
Iran has since spoken out on the ‘great pain’ her ex-husband’s relationship with his niece has caused her, but Hulk has slammed his former partner for ‘treating me like a monster’ and has addressed her allegations of infidelity.
He said: “I never had a relationship with Camila when I was married. I am a man. I was not happy in my marriage.
“I had countless reasons. I spent my entire marriage betraying Iran. She lived a single life. She just wanted to have the status of wife of the Hulk.
“Camila came to China. I don’t think I’m an ugly person and I’m young. Camila is young and extremely beautiful. We ended up getting involved. We were single.”
BABY NEWS
Since their romance reveal, Hulk and Camila’s relationship has continued to go from strength to strength.
And now they’ve shared some exciting news… the pair are expecting their first baby together.
Hulk uploaded photos of the couple holding up ultrasound scan photos of the unborn baby while holding Camila up in the air.
“Today with a heart full of gratitude to God, I come to share with you that for the fourth time I am being blessed with another child,” he wrote in a post.
“My heart overflows with so much happiness and I can only say thank you God. We are already looking forward to receiving you child, and we love you unconditionally. Come full of health my baby.”
Hulk also posted a video dancing with his wife and lifting her in his arms as she held on to the hospital snaps.
He also has two sons, Ian and Tiago, and a daughter, Alice from his previous marriage to Iran.
THE BIG MAN
Hulk first emerged on the scene in Europe with Porto in 2008.
His staggering size always stood out on the football pitch, and he was christened Hulk because of his likeness to actor and bodybulder Lou Ferrigno.
He was renowned for being built like an ox, and it was impossible to shrug him off the ball because of his strength.
Astonishingly, while playing in China, he managed to become supersized and looks even bigger today.
Fans were left agasp when he returned to training with Shanghai SIPG somehow looking even more muscular.
Hulk shared video and pics of himself staying fit by hitting his home gym, which kept him occupied when the world was in lockdown.
And the benefits were there for all to see.
HE’S GOT GOALS
The misconception of Hulk is that he’s a novelty footballer, because of his gargantuan size.
However, as they say, never judge a book by its cover.
Capped 47 times by Brazil, he’s scored 11 international goals – playing mostly as a winger.
His career took off in Japan’s second division with Tokyo Verdy in 2007, before he moved to Porto a year later.
It took him two seasons to find his feet in Portugal, and there was bother along the way.
Following a tunnel brawl during a 1-0 league loss to fierce rivals Benfica, Hulk was suspended for four games.
But in the 2010-11 season he began to push on. An impressive 35 goals in 53 games during Porto’s treble year, in which they also lifted the Europa League, elevated him to new heights.
Trouble still followed him wherever he went though, in 2014 he was forced to pay £42,000 fine for assaulting two stewards.
HE LIVES THE HIGH LIFE
Although he was linked to a move to the Premier League when he was a free agent, Hulk opted to return home to Atletico Mineiro in 2021.
His currently salary is believed to be around £40,000-per-week – a pittance to what he was once paid.
In China, where he played for five years, he earned around £320,000-per-week – althought that is still some way off what former Chelsea star Oscar earned. He pocketed an astonishing £400,000-per-week.
And he lives some life off the pitch, as you can imagine.
In 2018, he was pictured on board his own private jet, which features his signature on the side.
Inside, the cabin is decorated with his own image.
Hulk is also a keen art collector, spending his wages on rare paintings by renowned artists.
Now, it will be a baby that will be getting his undivided attention.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
