Most footballers at 40 are either retired or reduced to bit parts. Hulk is still turning in performances that would flatter players half his age.
The Brazilian forward scored once and registered an 8.2 match rating as Fluminense fought back to draw 3-3 with Athletico in a wild Brasileirão Serie A encounter. It was the latest in a long line of reminders that age, for some, is little more than a figure on a birth certificate.
No signs of slowing
Hulk's goal helped salvage a point in a match that swung back and forth, and his overall influence kept Fluminense competitive throughout. The 8.2 rating reflects not just the strike but his hold-up play, link-up work and sheer presence in the final third, qualities that have made him indispensable well into what would be most players' retirement years.
For context, plenty of attackers in their supposed prime struggle to reach those numbers over a full season. Hulk is doing it at an age when most have long since hung up their boots.
Built to last
There is no universal formula for longevity at this level. Some rely on positional intelligence to compensate for declining pace; others simply refuse to acknowledge the calendar. Hulk appears to have both. His fitness remains remarkable, and his technical ability has barely dulled. The result is a player who can still dictate games in one of the continent's most demanding leagues.
Whether this run continues into next year is anyone's guess, but right now Hulk is offering a masterclass in defying expectations. Age may be undefeated in the long run, yet he is making it work overtime to catch him.