Record Asian signing Hulk scored on his Chinese Super League debut but was carried off injured minutes later as Shanghai SIPG smashed Henan Jianye 5-0 at the weekend.
The muscle-bound Brazilian forward, who moved to Shanghai from Zenit St Petersburg for an eye-watering €55 million (Dh223 million) last month, bundled home a low cross from Chinese international Wu Lei after nine minutes.
However, his joy was short-lived as he was carried off on a stretcher in considerable pain 10 minutes later following a meaty challenge from Henan midfielder Feng Zhuoyi on the edge of the box.
The 29-year-old striker went down clutching his knee and was substituted soon afterwards by Shanghai manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England coach.
“I’m really happy as it’s my first game and it was a great start to get my first goal,” Hulk told local media.
• Brazilian star Hulk joins cash-rich Chinese Super League, signs with Shanghai SIPG
“I’m grateful to the fans for their support, and I’m going to the hospital now for a check up, I hope I can play in the next game.”
His absence had little effect on the outcome, however, with Hulk’s countryman Elkeson adding a second goal before half time before Wu, Lu Wenjian and Ivorian winger Jean Evrard Kouassi completed the rout in the second half against a side already reduced to 10 men.
SIPG officials gave no immediate details on the Hulk’s injury or if the player will be fit in time for their clash with bitter rivals Shanghai Shenhua next weekend.
Meanwhile, second-placed Jiangsu Suning went down 2-1 at Shandong Luneng in a bad-tempered match which saw former Chelsea midfielder Ramires restrained by teammates after receiving a red card for remonstrating with the referee following the final whistle.
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou Evergrande went 10 points clear at the top of the 16-team league after beating Chongqing Lifan 4-1 at home in front of 45,000 people on Sunday.
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