Wallace de Souza

Wallace Leandro de Souza (born 26 June 1987), known by the mononym Wallace, is a Brazilian volleyball player, member of the Brazil men's national volleyball team, 2016 Olympic Champion, silver medallist of the Olympic Games (London 2012), 2014 and 2018 World Championship, three–time South American Champion (2011, 2013, 2017).

After winning the bronze medal of 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, he announced his retirement from Brazil national team.

In January 2023 Wallace expressed his desire to see Brazilian president Lula murdered, publishing a social media poll alongside a photo of himself holding a gun, asking his followers “Would you shoot Lula in the face with this 12 [shotgun?]”

The post caused great controversy. The Brazilian Olympic Committee forwarded a representation to the Ethics Council of the entity about the case and the minister of the Social Communication Secretariat of the Federal Government, Paulo Pimenta, called the Attorney General's Office (AGU). Finally, Sada Cruzeiro announced Wallace's suspension indefinitely.

Later, Wallace deleted the post and apologized for what happened: "Anyone who knows me knows that I would never incite violence under any circumstances, especially to our President. So, I come here to apologize, it was an unfortunate post that I ended up making. I was wrong."

Sporting achievements

Clubs FIVB Club World Championship

CSV South American Club Championship

National championships

Individual awards 2011: Pan American Games – Best spiker 2012: FIVB Club World Championship – Best server 2013: FIVB Club World Championship – Most valuable player 2013: FIVB World Grand Champions Cup – Best opposite spiker 2014: CSV South American Club Championship – Most valuable player 2014: CSV South American Club Championship – Best opposite spiker 2014: FIVB Club World Championship – Best opposite spiker 2016: FIVB World League – Best opposite spiker 2016: Olympic Games – Best opposite spiker 2017: FIVB World League – Best opposite spiker 2017: CSV South American Championship – Best opposite spiker 2019: Memorial of Hubert Jerzy Wagner – Best server 2021: FIVB Nations League – Most valuable player (shared with Bartosz Kurek) 2021: FIVB Nations League – Best opposite spiker 2021: FIVB Club World Championship – Best opposite spiker 2024: FIVB Club World Championship – Most valuable player 2024: FIVB Club World Championship – Best opposite spiker