Atlético‘s Hulk Addresses Fans After South American Cup Final Heartbreak
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – Atlético star hulk broke his silence following a painful penalty shootout loss to Lanús in the Copa Sudamericana final, addressing supporters via Instagram after missing his team’s first penalty attempt in the 5-4 defeat. The match itself ended in a 0-0 draw after normal time and extra time at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium.
The 39-year-old forward emphasized dedication and commitment despite the disappointing result, a sentiment aimed at acknowledging the effort invested by the team throughout the continental campaign. This loss marks a setback for Atlético, who were aiming for their second Copa Sudamericana title, and raises questions about their future in the competition. Hulk’s message serves as a rallying cry for the club and its fanbase as they look ahead.
“Fight, honor and never give up. Sadly, in football the end result weighs a lot. All delivery, commitment, abdication and value… when the result doesn’t come, few recognize the effort. But we can never stop believing in ourselves,” Hulk wrote in his post. He further highlighted the daily duty and dedication inherent in being a high-performance athlete.
“Anyone who knows and closely follows the routine of a high-performance athlete knows the size of the responsibility and commitment we carry every day,” Hulk continued. “Winning is the ideal. Losing is part of it,but giving up will never be an option.”
Since joining Atlético in 2021, Hulk has become a pivotal figure for the club, amassing an impressive record of 134 goals and 51 assists in 283 appearances. He is currently under contract with Atlético until the end of 2026.
