Manila, Philippines – The confetti has settled, the celebratory echoes have faded, but the triumph of the Italian men`s volleyball team at the World Championship in Manila remains a vibrant memory. At the heart of this victory, a young man with a quiet demeanor and thunderous spikes, Alessandro Michieletto, claimed the coveted MVP award. Yet, for Michieletto, the true essence of success lies not in individual accolades, but in the collective heartbeat of his extraordinary team.
The Unassuming MVP: A Win for the Team
Barely 23 years old, Michieletto now boasts two World Championship titles, an achievement that would make many a seasoned athlete pause in self-adulation. But Michieletto, true to his spirit, remains remarkably grounded. “The award is what it is,” he explains, “but it doesn`t mean I am the best player in the world. I might have been for this particular tournament.” A statement that, coming from an MVP, offers a refreshing perspective in an era often dominated by personal branding.
He readily admits to feeling emotional during the award ceremony, a rare display for someone usually unperturbed by the pressures of professional volleyball. His humility extends to crediting teammate Yuri Romanò, suggesting Romanò was more deserving of the MVP title for the final match itself. “Every player on our team, especially from the Round of 16 onwards, would have deserved the MVP,” Michieletto insists, underscoring the profound sense of unity within the squad.
Manila Nights and the Sound of Victory
The immediate aftermath of such a monumental victory often involves a mix of exhaustion and euphoria. For the Italian team, the celebration kicked off at “A mano Bgc,” an Italian restaurant in Makati, a bustling district of Manila. “We ate, drank, and sang,” Michieletto recounts. The playlist? A decidedly “uncultured” mix of rap and trap from Sfera Ebbasta, chosen by their “very bad DJ,” Luca Porro – a testament to the raw, unpolished joy of young champions. The revelry continued on the bus, with players jumping and dancing, culminating in a late-night wander through Makati before an early flight home. It was a moment of intimate shared triumph, a chance for a group of “slightly crazy lads” to truly grasp the magnitude of their achievement.
The Road Less Certain: Overcoming Hurdles
Their journey to gold wasn`t without its early anxieties. A surprising loss to Belgium in the group stage served as a stark “wake-up call.” Michieletto admits to a fleeting moment where thoughts of early elimination crept in, manifesting in a running gag: repeatedly asking their team manager, Giretto, if he had “already booked the tickets home.” This morbid humor, however, transformed into a peculiar good luck charm. “We realized it brought us luck,” he chuckles, “so Giretto kept hearing that question before the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals. And in the end, we were the last ones to go home.”
Personal challenges also dotted the path. In the Round of 16 against Argentina, Michieletto started with a concerning 0/6 in attack. A few years ago, such a start might have derailed his entire game. Now, with maturity, he has honed the ability to “reset.” “If I can put down a couple of points after that,” he explains, “confidence returns, and the errors are forgotten. I`ve worked on that.”
The Maestro`s Touch: Coach De Giorgi`s Influence
No team reaches the pinnacle without astute leadership. For Italy, this came in the form of Coach Ferdinando De Giorgi. Michieletto credits De Giorgi with instilling a sense of tranquility and an invaluable ability to navigate difficult moments, such as the initial tournament struggles. His clarity in handling high-stakes matches, like the semi-final against Poland, was crucial. Perhaps most importantly, De Giorgi fostered a culture of learning from mistakes. A previous loss to Poland in the Nations League, for instance, became a tactical blueprint for their World Championship semi-final rematch. “He and the staff made no tactical errors,” Michieletto states, highlighting the strategic brilliance that underpinned their victory.
A Future Forged in Humility
With two World Championship medals draped around his neck at an age when many are just beginning their international careers, Michieletto stands at a unique crossroads. The World Championship will now be held biennially, offering more opportunities for him to add to his already impressive tally. When asked about his seemingly “impossible achievements” for his age, he offers a thoughtful insight:
“I almost don`t even realize it. And perhaps 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.”
This philosophy of playful engagement and mindful detachment from past glories might just be the key to his sustained success. Alessandro Michieletto is not just a gifted athlete; he is a testament to the power of teamwork, resilience, and a quiet, unassuming confidence that allows him to soar without ever losing sight of the ground.
