In the vibrant aftermath of Italy`s latest triumph at the Volleyball World Championship in Manila, one name resonates loudest across the sport: Alessandro Michieletto. At a mere 23 years old, the prodigious talent has already secured his second consecutive world title, a feat that would send most athletes into a self-congratulatory orbit. Yet, Michieletto, recently crowned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), exhibits a remarkably grounded perspective, almost shying away from the individual accolades.
The celebrations, as he vividly recounts, were a quintessential Italian affair. A lively dinner at “A mano Bgc” in Makati, Manila, served as the backdrop for unrestrained joy. “We ate, drank, and sang,” Michieletto chuckles, recalling the “ignorant stuff” — Italian rap and trap — that fueled their collective excitement. The revelry spilled onto the team bus, orchestrated by their “very bad DJ, Luca Porro,” before a late-night wander through Makati solidified a shared, intimate moment of triumph. It was, he says, a time for the squad to truly internalize the magnitude of their achievement.
The MVP Who Humbly Deflects Praise
Being named MVP of the World Championship is undeniably a monumental achievement, a testament to being, perhaps, the standout player in that specific competition. But Michieletto is quick to qualify this, his modesty almost disarming. “Yes, it’s the award, but it doesn`t mean I am the best player in the world. I might have been in this specific tournament,” he asserts. With a characteristic humility, he goes a step further, suggesting that for the decisive final match, the honor should have gone to his teammate, Yuri Romanò. This sentiment, while deeply modest, offers a crucial insight into the team-first philosophy that underpins this formidable Italian squad.
Despite his earnest attempts to deflect, the underlying pride is tangible. “It’s a recognition that makes me proud and gives me shivers,” he admits, describing a rare emotional agitation during the awards ceremony. He believes that, considering the team`s exceptional, cohesive performance from the Round of 16 onwards, virtually any of his teammates could have legitimately earned the MVP title. It’s a remarkable stance for someone at the pinnacle of individual recognition.
A Lightness of Being on the Court
When pressed on whether he truly perceives himself as the best, Michieletto acknowledges the inevitable rise in external expectations. “I`ll have to try to confirm that judgment on the court,” he states, but swiftly adds a crucial caveat: “I remain what I was, and I believe I always will be: someone who plays with lightness. An award won`t put more anxiety or responsibility on me.”
This “lightness” of approach proved to be a critical asset throughout the demanding tournament. The highly anticipated semi-final against Poland, framed by some pundits as a direct duel between Michieletto and the formidable Wilfredo Leon, was, in his considered view, always “Italy against Poland.” It was a victory forged through collective effort, a potent demonstration of team synergy trumping individual brilliance. “In this World Championship, it was clear that no single player decides the results. Except for Aleksander Nikolov in Bulgaria, who does almost everything by himself,” he quips with a hint of playful sarcasm, acknowledging the rare exception.
The “Wake-Up Call” and the “Goofball” Ritual
The Italian team’s path to glory was not without its early stumbles. A surprising loss to Belgium in the group stage served as a pivotal “wake-up call.” Michieletto candidly admits it made them realize they were entering a “do-or-die” phase much earlier than anticipated. Yet, debilitating fear wasn`t the dominant emotion. Instead, a rather peculiar, humorous team ritual emerged.
“We’re also a bit of a bunch of `coglionazzi` [goofballs], so between the Belgium and Ukraine matches, a running gag started: many of us kept asking our team manager, Giretto, `Have you already booked the tickets? Have you already booked the tickets?` as if it were a given that we would be eliminated. And since we didn`t need them after beating Ukraine, we thought it brought good luck, and it became a recurring joke. Giretto kept hearing it before the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals. In the end, we were the last ones to go home.”
This anecdote perfectly encapsulates the unique blend of self-aware humor and profound underlying determination that defines this youthful Italian squad. Michieletto also detailed a particularly crucial moment in the Round of 16 against Argentina, where he started the match with a challenging 0/6 in attack. His ability to “reset” and recover, a mental fortitude he attributes to years of dedicated work, highlights his immense psychological resilience. He can now swiftly compartmentalize errors, regain confidence, and fundamentally shift the momentum of a match.
Defensive Prowess and Coach De Giorgi`s Masterstroke
When prompted to visualize a singular standout action from the tournament, Michieletto surprisingly eschews an attacking spike or block. Instead, he recalls two pivotal defensive plays: “A defense on a diagonal shot by Sasak. And the cover on the 22-all point in the second set, again against Poland.” He jokes about his impressive defensive reach: “It`s true that when I dive properly, I cover a lot of ground!” He even modestly compared his semifinal performance to that of Daniele Lavia, another celebrated defensive specialist.
Central to Italy`s emphatic success, Michieletto emphatically states, is coach Ferdinando De Giorgi. “There`s calmness,” he begins, attributing the coach with an invaluable ability to navigate difficult tournament moments, maintain tactical clarity in the most pressure-laden matches, and, crucially, instill a culture of learning from mistakes. The prior loss to Poland in the Nations League, for instance, transformed into an invaluable tactical blueprint for their World Championship rematch. “He and the staff didn`t make a single tactical mistake,” Michieletto concludes with unwavering confidence, highlighting the strategic brilliance behind their triumph.
Uncharted Territory at 23
With two World Championship titles already secured at the tender age of 23, and the tournament now transitioning to a biennial format, Michieletto’s potential appears truly boundless. Yet, his response to this future remains remarkably consistent with his foundational philosophy: “It`s true, I`m reaching impossible milestones for my age. I barely even realize it. And maybe that`s my secret: how I am on the court, enjoying myself, calm. I`m afraid that if I stopped to think about what I`ve done and what I`ve already won, it would be counterproductive.”
Alessandro Michieletto embodies the essence of a new generation of Italian volleyball talent – immensely skilled, refreshingly humble, and fiercely dedicated to the collective success of his team. His journey is a compelling narrative of athletic excellence rooted in genuine passion and a refreshing, almost quaint, lack of self-importance. As he continues to meticulously write his remarkable story, the world watches with eager anticipation, wondering just how far this “goofball” MVP can truly ascend.
Murray Blackwood