Although nowadays we are not short of great volleyball players, there have been some great players of the sport throughout history. Some of the current players are spectacular and could make it to our list eventually. However, for the time being, we are going to focus on the best volleyball players ever.
Volleyball’s popularity, as a sport, is immensely popular. In fact, as a recreational activity, it is enjoyed by more than 37 million people in the U.S. alone, and more than 800 million persons globally, making it the world’s most popular participant sport. While football remains a top sport for betting in the U.S., volleyball does not fall short from this activity either, being popular with betters on the best new casinos, like those here: https://casinotop3.com/new-online-casinos/.
So, who are the best volleyball players in history? Let’s dive into our top five!
Giba
A volleyball legend, Giba is from Brazil and very easily recognisable by many. If you have ever seen him play, there is not doubt about it that he’s the best which is why he is the first in our list. He helped to win the Olympic Games in 2004, the World Championship 3 times in a row and the World League 8 times, amongst other competitions. He has also received many individual awards. Fox Sport has also included him in the Best Men’s Volleyball Players of all time in 2015. He ended his career in 2019 at the age of 42 in the team IBB Polonia London.
Lorenzo Bernardi
Bernardi is a great volleyball coach but also an incredible player. The Italian player is the legend of many clubs like Sisley Treviso in which he played for 12 years. Bernardi won 16 titles, and with all his clubs, he won an overall 26 titles. Many people think of Bernardi as being, part and parcel, with the Italian National team. He won the World Championship League two times and the World League five times. He was also elected the best player of the 1994 World Championship and 1995 European Championship. In 2001, he was declared the ‘Volleyball Player of the Century’ with Karch Kiraly. After his career ended, he became a coach and since 2012, he has won 14 medals, including 10 gold medals.
Karch Kiraly
Kiraly is one of the best volleyball players in the world, especially of the 20th century. He was the one to lead the U.S National Team to the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He was an incredible defender and also a great outside hitter. Kiraly went on to have 148 career wins, making him the player with the most wins in sport’s history. The FIVB chose him as the FIVB Best Player of the 20th Century. He was also successful as a coach of the US National Women’s Volleyball team, leading them to a bronze medal during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Ivan Milijkovic
For many years, Milijkovic was the best Serbian volleyball player, leading them to many wins and victories. The most notable one is the gold medal at the Olympic Games in 2000. One year later, Serbia and Montenegro won the European Championship. Milijkovic has 11 gold medals with the national team and clubs, and he owns other individual awards, totalling to 30 awards. Milijkovic set a record of earning 37 points in one match in both the 2002 and 2005 FIVB World League.
Andrea Giani
Andrea Giani is another incredible Italian volleyball player who has now retired to be a coach. Giani has many successes with Italy in volleyball. He has won the World Championship 3 times in a row. He has 16 gold medals up his sleeve, and he is known to be an all-rounder, playing as both the outside hitter and the middle blocker. In 2010, he won the Cost-Anderlini Award for the Best Coach of the Year in Italy Serie A2. He was also the coach of the Slovenian National Team and he is currently Germany’s coach.
