Wallace de Souza

Wallace Leandro de Souza, born on June 26, 1987, is a distinguished Brazilian volleyball player renowned for his contributions to the sport. He has been a pivotal member of the Brazil men's national volleyball team, showcasing his exceptional skills on the international stage. Wallace's career highlights include being crowned the Olympic Champion in 2016 and securing a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. His prowess on the court has also earned him accolades such as the World Championship silver medals in 2014 and 2018, along with three South American Championship titles in 2011, 2013, and 2017.

In 2022, Wallace added a bronze medal from the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship to his impressive collection. However, shortly after this achievement, he made the decision to retire from the Brazil national team, marking the end of an era in his illustrious career.

In January 2023, Wallace found himself at the center of controversy when he expressed a violent sentiment towards Brazilian President Lula on social media. This incident involved a poll he posted alongside a photo of himself holding a firearm, which sparked outrage and led to significant repercussions. The Brazilian Olympic Committee took action by referring the matter to the Ethics Council, while the minister of the Social Communication Secretariat called upon the Attorney General's Office for further investigation. Consequently, Sada Cruzeiro announced Wallace's indefinite suspension from the team.

Following the backlash, Wallace took to social media to retract his statement, emphasizing that he would never advocate for violence against anyone, especially the President. He expressed remorse for the unfortunate post, acknowledging his mistake and the impact it had on his reputation.