Hey, if you’re into volleyball legends, Giba is the guy who lit up the court like no one else in the 2000s. This Brazilian outside hitter dominated with insane jumps and kills, leading Brazil to Olympic gold and world titles. Let’s dive into his story with all the key stats and details up to 2026.
Giba’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho |
| Nickname | Giba |
| Born / Date of Birth | December 23, 1976, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil |
| Age | 49 years |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 91 kg (201 lb) |
| Turned Professional | 1995 |
| Position | Outside hitter |
| Current Club / Team | Retired (last played briefly with IBB Polonia London in 2019/20) |
| Tournament Earnings | Estimated $5-7 million total career |
| Achievements / Titles | 8 South American Championships, 3 America’s Cups, 8 World League titles, 3 World Grand Champions Cups, 3 World Championships (2002, 2006, 2010), Olympic gold (2004), silvers (2008, 2012); Multiple MVPs including 2004 Olympics, 2006 World League & Championship |
| Sponsors / Endorsements | Technos, Olympikus, Nissan, Vogue Italia, Bio-Gen |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse / Partner | Ex-wife: Cristina Pîrv (2003-2012); Current partner: Maria Luiza Dautt (since 2013) |
| Instagram Profile | @giba7oficial |
Giba’s profile screams legend status—he captained Brazil to epic wins despite not being the tallest guy on the court. His jump spikes made him a nightmare for defenses. Today at 49, he’s all about volleyball development and social causes.
Early Career
Giba started volleyball young in Londrina, Brazil, showing talent early. He earned MVP at the 1993 FIVB U19 World Championship and again in 1995 U21 event. Debuting for Brazil’s senior team in 1995, he grabbed his first South American Championship win right away, setting the stage for dominance. By 1997, he helped snag the World Grand Champions Cup. His skills shone despite his 1.92m height, thanks to killer jumps.
Professional Career
Giba turned pro in 1995 and quickly became Brazil’s star outside hitter, playing in Brazil, Italy, Russia, Argentina, and UAE. He racked up 319 international caps, leading Brazil to unmatched success: Olympic gold in 2004 Athens as MVP, silvers in 2008 Beijing and 2012 London as captain, plus three World Championships and eight World Leagues. Club stints included top Italian and Russian teams before retiring at 37 in 2014, with a brief 2019/20 comeback in England. His energy and spikes defined an era.
Giba’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026 estimates, Giba’s net worth sits around $5-7 million, built from peak career salaries, tournament wins, and post-retirement endorsements. This covers his pro playing days through ongoing volleyball promotion roles. No major financial shifts reported lately.
Salary
Giba pulled top dollar in his prime, like R$1.5 million (about $830,000 USD) for the 2011-2012 season with Brazil’s Sky/Cimed club. Reports from 2012-2013 pegged a Polish league deal at 400,000 euros per season. Earlier Russian moves in 2007-2008 were high-paying too, though exact figures stay private.
These fat contracts reflected his MVP status and draw power, keeping him earning big in Brazil over Europe at times. Post-retirement, income shifted to endorsements and FIVB gigs.
Prize Money
| Tournament | Year(s) | Prize Money (Team/National Share Est.) |
| Olympics Gold (Athens) | 2004 | ~$100,000+ per player (Brazil share) |
| World Championship | 2002, 2006, 2010 | $50,000-$200,000 total pot split [general volleyball est.] |
| World League (8x) | Various 2000s | $20,000-$50,000 per win share |
| Career Total Est. | 1995-2014 | $2-3 million from prizes |
Career Earnings
| Season/Period | Club/League | Reported Earnings |
| 2011-2012 | Sky/Cimed (Brazil) | R$1.5M (~$830K USD) |
| 2012-2013 | Polish League | €400K |
| 2007-2008 | Iskra Odintsovo (Russia) | High six figures (undisclosed) |
| Peak Career (2000s) | Various Italian/Brazilian | $500K+ annually est. |
| Total Career Est. | 1995-2020 | $5-7M |
Endorsements
Giba’s fame scored him deals with brands like watchmaker Technos, sportswear Olympikus, car giant Nissan, and fashion mag Vogue Italia. He also promoted Bio-Gen in Brazil since 2018 and backed social campaigns for cancer awareness and kids.
These gigs continue post-retirement, boosting his image as volleyball’s top ambassador through FIVB roles. No new 2026 sponsors listed, but his legacy keeps them coming.
Career Records
| Opponent Team | Notable Matches | Giba Stats/Outcome |
| Russia | World League, Olympics | 22 kills in Brazil-Bulgaria show (similar vs Russia); Multiple wins |
| Poland | Olympics 2004 semis | Brazil win; Giba MVP form |
| USA | World Championships | Key blocks/spikes in 2006/2010 golds |
| Serbia (then Yugoslavia) | Early 2000s | Dominant in South Americans |
FAQs
1. Who is Giba in volleyball?
Giba, whose full name is Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho, is a retired Brazilian professional volleyball player born on December 23, 1976, in Londrina, Brazil. He played as an outside hitter and was considered one of the world’s best players during the 2000s, earning global recognition for his skills and leadership.
2. What position did Giba play?
Giba specialized as an outside hitter (wing spiker). Despite his height of 1.92 meters (about 6 ft 4 in), he compensated with exceptional jumping ability, spiking up to 325 cm and blocking at 312 cm.
3. What are Giba’s major international achievements?
Giba won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics (as MVP), silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics (captain in 2012), three World Championships (2002, 2006, 2010), two World Cups (2003, 2007), eight World League titles, and three Grand Champions Cups with Brazil.
4. What club teams did Giba play for?
Giba started in Brazil with clubs like Curitibano, Cocamar, São Caetano, Nipomed, Olympikus, and Minas. He later played in Italy (Yahoo! Ferrara, BreBanca Cuneo), Russia (Iskra Odintsovo), Brazil (Pinheiros), Argentina (Club Ciudad de Bolívar), and briefly in the UAE (Al-Nasr Dubai).
5. When did Giba retire from volleyball?
Giba retired from professional volleyball in summer 2014 at age 37. He ended his career after playing for Al-Nasr Dubai, following a remarkable tenure that included 319 international caps for Brazil.
6. What individual awards did Giba win?
Giba was named MVP at the 2004 Olympics, 2006 World Championship and World League, 2007 Pan American Games, South American Championship, and World Cup. He also earned Best Server (2008 World League), Best Spiker (2009 South American), and titles like Best Player of the Decade (2010).
7. How tall is Giba and how did his height impact his career?
Giba stands at 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in), relatively short for an elite outside hitter. He overcame this with superior athleticism, vertical leap, and technique, becoming a dominant spiker and earning spots in volleyball’s Hall of Fame.
8. What is Giba’s most famous Olympic performance?
At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Giba led Brazil to gold, defeating Italy in the final and earning tournament MVP. This victory marked Brazil’s first Olympic volleyball gold and highlighted his leadership during their “Golden Era.”
9. What was Brazil’s “Golden Era” under Giba?
From 2002-2007, coached by Bernardo Rezende, Giba’s Brazil team won 11 straight major titles after a World League loss, including the 2004 Olympics, two World Championships, two World Cups, five World Leagues, and a Grand Champions Cup.
10. Why is Giba considered a volleyball legend?
Giba’s passion, 30+ years in the sport starting in 1989, club successes like the 2006 Italian Cup MVP, and fan appeal through energetic play made him iconic. He’s inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and voted among the best ever by outlets like Fox Sports.