Brazil star shows off physique ahead of new season after leaving wife for niece

Hulk has shown off his impressive shape as he prepares for the new season at the age of 36.

The Brazilian is now back in his homeland playing for Atletico Mineiro after 15 years away. The forward helped his current employers claim the domestic title back in 2021, scoring 36 times along the way. Last term he notched 29 times and images posted on social media prove Hulk remains in serious shape.

He was seen training legs ahead of the new campaign, which doesn't get underway until mid-April. Palmeiras, who recently sold Endrick to Real Madrid for a mammoth fee, are the defending champions.

Hulk made his name initially at Porto, whom he joined in 2008. With the Portuguese side he won four league titles as well as the Europa League in 2011 under Andre Villas-Boas. His 35 goals that year was his best effort during his time in Europe with his exploits eventually earning him a switch to Zenit.

The Russian side spent around £60m to acquire his services and Hulk helped them claim three domestic honours before leaving for the riches of China. He would spend five seasons with Shanghai SIPG, where he earned a staggering annual salary of just over £16m, before heading back to Brazil.

It is off the pitch though where Hulk has made as many headlines. He infamously left his wife, whom he'd been with for over a decade and had three children, for her niece. The explosive love triangle saw the Brazilian come in for huge criticism with his ex-wife, Iran Angelo, taking aim at the couple.

On the break-up she said: "Lies and disloyalties are like knives. They cut our flesh, make us bleed, dry up, die a little inside. But for those that have God in their lives, this dying means rebirth. I am reborn with each disappointment and each lie that is unmasked because Jesus made me strong."

She reserved special criticism for her niece, Camila Angelo, who now has a child with Hulk. "I gave everything to this girl since she came into the world. I sacrificed my dreams so many times to make her dreams come true," claimed Iran.

"And here I'm not just talking about material goods, because these are easy to give when you have money, but love, affection, attention, respect... everything.

"She knew my weaknesses, insecurities, pain, fears and had my unconditional love. She managed my life, and for me everything that she said was good, it was correct, it was ethical. She was perfect in everything and I gave her the direction of my life.

"If I was wrong, my God, it was because I loved and trusted too much."