Football is a great metaphor for the world, and it is possible that you identify, whether sportingly or not, with the central idea of this text. Knowing when to “let go” and end relationships is never easy. Hulk and Atlético are currently going through this difficult phase – between nostalgia for everything that has already been experienced and the expectation of an uncertain future.
The striker has a contract until 2026, but last season he experienced the beginning of a process of losing protagonism. He was a substitute 11 times, compared to 18 in the first four years at Galo (most of them to be spared, not due to technical choice). He scored 21 goals, 12 from set pieces. In the Brazilian Championship, he went more than a year without scoring with a rolling ball.
The natural drop in performance for a 39-year-old player raises doubts about Hulk’s role in the team. Jorge Sampaoli, a fan of a more intense and fast style, doesn’t seem to make an effort to change his beliefs in order to fit the player. In the midst of this situation, Fluminense enters with a two-year proposal and thus creates panic among Atlético’s managers.
Nobody wants to be in the picture as the manager responsible for losing a great idol. If Atlético has doubts about the performance capacity of an athlete approaching 40 years of age, their suits have to make the difficult decision of letting him or not leaving. Those who are under pressure usually think worse. And Atlético offered another year of contract to a 39-year-old player who still had one season to complete.
Hulk felt discredited sportingly and didn’t believe in the club’s project. As he was not released, he said he would stay. Not for good, but because he couldn’t leave.
After having played almost 300 games and taking Atlético out of a five-decade queue in the Brazilian Championship, Hulk deserves everything from Galo. He deserves a statue, a documentary, and any tribute that comes will be little.
But while playing, you need to be treated like a player. No one should have their contract renewed because of what they have already done, but rather because of what they can still do. Renewals out of gratitude are usually too expensive for the club’s coffers and the athlete’s history.
It was because they acted like this that Barcelona went beyond the limits with Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets and others. And it was by not acting in this way that Real Madrid lost Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo, but they were not lost technically or financially either.
The best thing Atlético could have done to avoid ruining the beautiful story was to let him go. Hulk has to be able to do everything, including leaving whenever he wants. This is how relationships go beyond corporate coldness. “Hulk, we want you here in 2026, but if you want to go, we understand and we wish you the best.” Once at Fluminense, the carpet is rolled out every time they return as a rival to BH. Applauded before and after games, never booed during matches. From then on, when the striker ends his career, the more than deserved tributes will come.
Without knowing how (and if it is time to) end the relationship, Atlético offered another year and also a lot of distrust to their great idol. And Hulk stayed, at least for now, because he couldn’t get out. Over time, there will be love left, but today the relationship smells more toxic than it should.
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