Error code: %{errorCode}
Hercules: Flu midfielder's meteoric rise
- Long journey began in Ceara second division in Brazil
- Serious injury robbed Hercules of Italy move in 2023
- Scored winner in quarter-final victory over Al Hilal
Scorer of two goals in two matches in the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Hercules lived a fairy tale on Friday in Orlando. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder’s reality changed rapidly, culminating in the goal that sealed a spot in the semi-final of the tournament.
Four years prior to scoring in the 2-1 win over Al Hilal and sending Fluminense FC through to the next round, he had been transferred for just $250,000 Brazilian real, a modest figure compared to the sums spent by the Saudi team or by FC Internazionale Milano, against whom he had also scored.
This was how much Fortaleza EC paid to FC Atletico Cearense, a club that was playing in the fourth division of Brazilian football. Before that, the promising player from Jaicos in the southeast of Piaui state had played for AE Tiradentes and Crato EC, both in the second division of the Ceara state championship.
Buy Club World Cup tickets
In an interview with Radio CBN after Hercules’ first goal in the USA, the CEO of Fortaleza, Marcelo Paz, said that he still roots for Hercules as if he were still representing his club. Over the three seasons he featured as a regular in Fortaleza’s first team, he was already making a name for himself by scoring goals, finding the net 19 times in 136 appearances.
Hercules was signed by Fluminense for the 2025 season in what was a record transfer fee for the Ceara club.
“A kid from Piaui, who came to try his luck in our state, arrived at Tiradentes, then went to Atletico [Cearense]; Fortaleza brought him into their under-23s, and by the turn of the year, he was already in the Libertadores squad [of 2022]," recalled Paz when talking about the player’s meteoric rise. "He arrived in 2021 and started the new year already in the first team."
Named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match after coming on in the second half and scoring again, Hercules appeared shy in the press conference after the win.
"It’s very special to score those two goals. They were very important for me and for the group. Today, I helped the team again with another goal, running, defending, giving everything on the field for my teammates," he told FIFA as he received the award. "I’m very happy to be named player of the match. I dedicate this to my teammates, to the group that gave me the strength to keep pushing on and working hard. We’ll keep working because there’s more good things to come."
He also spoke about the difficult path of his short career.
"What’s happening is the result of a lot of hard work," Hercules said. "I left Fortaleza and came here. My journey hasn’t been easy. Things are tougher in the Northeast, but I never gave up. I always had my family by my side supporting me. I’ll always keep working to score more goals."
Even after joining Fortaleza in the top flight of Brazilian football, Hercules faced challenges. In July 2023, the Ceara club received an offer for him from U.S. Lecce in Italy. However, serious injury robbed the 22-year-old of the opportunity to move abroad. Hercules suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee and was out of action for nine months, putting an end to the negotiations.
Watch Club World Cup matches for free on DAZN
"He came back from injury, though there were doubts about how he would return," Paz said, "but he came back strong, even better than before. He really represents what Fortaleza is."
Scorer of the Tricolor’s first goal against Al Hilal, Matheus Martinelli spoke about Hercules' goal. Having been cautioned in the first half, the defensive midfielder came off during the interval to make way for his teammate.
"He's a kid who deserves it, he works hard," Martinelli said. "At Fluminense, everyone who comes in is ready to fight for the badge."
