Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho, better known as Giba, is synonymous with volleyball excellence.
The Brazilian former professional volleyball player, who played as an outside hitter, was a dominant force in the sport throughout the 2000s.
His career is decorated with numerous accolades, both with his club teams and the national team, making him one of the most celebrated volleyball players in the world.
You can follow Giba’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more here.
Giba’s Net Worth Details
Giba’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional volleyball player, endorsements, and other sources.
Salary
Giba’s salary information is not consistently available for every career season. However, some specific figures have been reported.
For instance, during the 2011-2012 season, Giba earned R$1.5 million (approximately US$830,000+) for one season with the Brazilian club team Sky/Cimed.
Earlier in his career, around the 2007-2008 season, Giba signed a contract to play professional volleyball in Russia.
It was reported that Giba’s transfer to a Polish league would cost about 400 thousand euros per season.
Career Earnings
Season | Club/League | Reported Salary |
2011-2012 | Sky/Cimed (Brazil) | R$1.5 million (Approx. US$830,000+) |
2007-2008 | Russian Club (Russia) | Not disclosed |
2012-2013 | Polish League (Poland) | 400 thousand euros per season |
Endorsement
Giba has been featured in commercial ads, such as for Technos, and is known for his involvement in social causes, supporting orphans and children with cancer.
About Giba
Full Name | Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho |
Nickname | Giba |
Birth Date | December 23, 1976 |
Height | 192 cm |
Weight | 85 kg |
Birthplace | Londrina, Brazil |
Nationality | Brazilian |
Current Net Worth | $5 million |
Relationship Status | Divorced |
Ex-Wife | Cristina Pîrv |
Instagram Profile | @giba7oficial |
Born on December 23, 1976, in Londrina, Brazil, Giba’s journey in volleyball began at a young age.
His talent and passion for the game quickly became evident as he honed his skills and became a formidable outside hitter.
Despite not being very tall for a volleyball player, Giba’s exceptional abilities and jumping skills allowed him to compete at the highest level.
Club Career
Giba’s club career began in Brazil, where he played for teams such as Curitibano, Cocamar, Chapecó, São Caetano, Nipomed, Olympikus, and Minas.
His exceptional talent led him to the Italian Top Division (Serie A1), where he played for Yahoo Ferrara.
During his time in Italy, he won the Italian Cup in 2006 and was named the Most Valuable Player of the competition.
In 2007, Giba left Italy to play with Iskra Odintsovo in Russia. After two years, he returned to Brazil to play for Pinheiros.
Giba also had stints with Club Ciudad de Bolívar in Argentina and other teams before retiring in 2014.
Throughout his club career, Giba achieved significant success, including playing on teams that won the Italian Serie A1 league multiple times and the Russian Super League.
He also won the FIVB Club World Championship in 2006 and 2007 and the South American Club Championship on several occasions.
His accolades include being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2002 World Championships and the 2006 World League, the Best Server at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and the Best Receiver at the 2006 World League.
Giba was also recognized as the Brazilian Volleyball Player of the Year multiple times.
International Career
Giba’s international career with the Brazilian national team is legendary. He debuted for Brazil and quickly became a key player in several World Cup tournaments.
His achievements with the national team include winning 8 South American Championships, 3 America’s Cups, 8 World League titles, 3 World Grand Champions Cups, and three World Championships.
Giba also shone at the Olympics, winning a gold medal in 2004 and two silver medals in 2008 and 2012.
Giba’s greatest moments came at the Olympic Games, where he won three medals: a gold at Athens 2004, and silver at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
He retired from professional volleyball in 2014. After retiring as a player, Giba continued to contribute to the sport.
He was selected as president of the first FIVB Athletes Commission, formed in 2016 to link the players and the FIVB leadership.
Ex-Wife
Giba married Cristina Pîrv, a Romanian-Brazilian former international volleyball player, from 2003 to 2012.
They have 2 children together, a daughter named Nicoll (born in 2004) and a son named Patrick (born in 2009).
In November 2012, Cristina filed for divorce. After his divorce, Giba started dating Maria Luiza Dautt in 2013.
Career Stats
Statistic | Value |
Caps (appearances) for the Brazilian national team | Over 200 |
Points scored in international career | Over 4,000 |
Aces in international career | Over 500 |
Blocks in international career | Over 800 |
Attack percentage | Regularly over 50% |
World Championships won | 3 (2002, 2006, 2010) |
Olympic medals | 1 gold (2004), 2 silver (2008, 2012) |
World League titles | 8 |
World Grand Champions Cups | 3 |
South American Championships | 8 |
America’s Cups | 3 |
FAQs
Who is Giba?
Giba, whose full name is Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho, is a former Brazilian volleyball player. He was born on December 23, 1976, in Londrina, Brazil. Giba played as an outside hitter and was considered one of the best volleyball players in the world during the 2000s.
What are Giba’s biggest achievements in volleyball?
Giba has a ton of impressive achievements:
- Olympic gold medal in 2004 and silver medals in 2008 and 2012
- Three World Championship titles (2002, 2006, 2010)
- Eight World League titles
- Eight South American Championships
- Three America’s Cups
- Two World Grand Champions Cups
He was also named MVP in several tournaments, including the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Championships.
What made Giba such a great player?
Despite not being very tall for a volleyball player, Giba made up for it with his incredible speed, jumping ability, and physical skills. He was one of the world’s best wing spikers (outside hitters). Giba wasn’t just skilled; he had a great attitude and drive that made fans love him. He was also a great motivator for his team, which helped make Brazil almost unbeatable in the 2000s.
When did Giba retire from volleyball?
Giba, who was 37 then, retired from professional volleyball in the summer of 2014. He announced his retirement from international volleyball after Brazil won silver at the 2012 London Olympics.
Did Giba play for any clubs besides the Brazilian national team?
Yes, Giba played for several clubs during his career. He played in Brazil, Italy, Russia, Argentina, and briefly in the United Arab Emirates. Some teams he played for include Minas Belo Horizonte, Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo, Pinheiros, and Al-Nasr Dubai.
What’s an interesting fact about Giba’s childhood?
When Giba was just 10 years old, he had a serious accident that badly damaged his left arm. Despite this setback, he became one of the world’s greatest volleyball players.
Has Giba been involved in any activities other than playing volleyball?
Yes, Giba has been involved in several off-court activities:
- He’s supported orphans and children with cancer
- He’s been active in campaigns against prostate and breast cancer
- He’s been involved in commercial campaigns for brands like Vogue Italia, Nissan, and Technos
- He’s the president of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission
- A documentary called “Heróis Olímpicos” was made about him by the Brazilian Olympic Committee
Does Giba have a family?
Giba married Cristina Pîrv, a former Romanian-Brazilian volleyball player, from 2003 to 2012. They have two children: a daughter named Nicoll (born in 2004) and a son named Patrick (born in 2009). After his divorce, he started dating Maria Luiza Dautt in 2013.
What languages does Giba speak?
Giba is fluent in three languages: Portuguese, English, and Italian.
Has Giba been involved in volleyball since retiring?
Yes, even after retiring, Giba has stayed connected to volleyball. He’s been involved in grassroots initiatives to promote the sport. For example, in 2023, he visited Assam, India, where he interacted with kids as part of the Brahmaputra Volleyball League. He shared his experiences and advised aspiring volleyball players to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their dreams.