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Fluminense came from behind to defeat Palmeiras 3-2 on Saturday (15) in the 23rd round of the 2026 Brasileirão.

Fluminense’s first goal was scored by Hulk in the first half, and that strike placed the No. 7 in an exclusive group of goalscorers.

At 40 years and 21 days old, Hulk entered the top five oldest players to score in the Brasileirão in the 21st century.

5. Hulk (Fluminense, 2026) - 40 years and 21 days

4. Wellington Paulista (América-MG, 2023) - 40 years and 50 days

3. Magno Alves (Fluminense, 2016) - 40 years and 234 days

2. Ricardo Oliveira (Coritiba, 2021) - 40 years and 295 days

1. Romário (Vasco, 2007) - 41 years and 131 days

The goal against Palmeiras was significant in easing Fluminense supporters’ concerns over the striker’s signing from Atlético-MG.

Under contract until the end of 2027, Hulk scored his third goal for Fluminense and his first in an official match at the Maracanã.

Earlier, the No. 7 had scored against Bahia in a mid-season friendly at the Maracanã, and also found the net against Grêmio at the Arena in Porto Alegre on 26 July, in the 20th round of the 2026 Brasileirão.

With the whole team suffering a drop in form under coach Luis Zubeldía after returning from the World Cup, Hulk too had lost favour with Fluminense fans.

After missing straightforward chances, including his well-known long-range free-kicks, the experienced forward had been booed by Fluminense supporters in the team’s recent matches at the Maracanã.

“Obviously, the three points matter more than the goal. Since we came back after the World Cup, we still had not won, and that was weighing heavily on us. When the team’s results do not come, individual performances hardly stand out. I put a lot of pressure on myself to score goals, make the fans happy, and help my teammates. The ball just did not want to go in, I was missing simple things, but I am a very persistent person. I always work through difficulties because I believe better days will come,” Hulk said after the win over Palmeiras.