Camille Naredo

Italian setter Simone Giannelli. Handout/Volleyball World

Article (news)

FIVB

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759121802996faovmp67dzoe9azv2zio.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Italian setter Simone Giannelli. Handout/Volleyball WorldItalian setter Simone Giannelli. Handout/Volleyball World"/>Italian setter Simone Giannelli. Handout/Volleyball World</div>MANILA -- Beyond winning back-to-back titles in the FIVB Men&#x27;s World Championship, Italy team captain Simone Giannelli aims to continue inspiring the younger generation. Giannelli achieved his goal to help Italy successfully defend its title on Sunday, after defeating Bulgaria in four sets. He was also named Best Setter for the second tournament in a row.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/28/italy-blasts-youth-laden-bulgaria-in-manila-for-world-championship-crown-2029">READ: Experience prevails as Italy blasts youth-laden Bulgaria in Manila for World Championship crown</a></div>But more than the title and the individual accolades, Giannelli achieved something that cannot be measured by awards and points. The Italian star setter was thankful to be among the players immortalized in a mural by the Volleyball Legacy Project in Parañaque City. Last Thursday, Giannelli personally visited the mural made by artist Maya Carandang and interacted with kids from the local community. &quot;First of all, I am very grateful for what Filipinos did for me because that playground, it&#x27;s amazing. And that artist, I want to know him and to congrats to him and to thank him and all for [the] volleyball family because it was an amazing initiative,&quot; Giannelli said. &quot;Never in my life I thought that I will be representing a court in Manila and to be there for the rest of the time. So, it&#x27;s amazing for the kids. I think this is one of the best experience in my life. I bring it with me in my memory,&quot; he added. The 29-year-old player underscored the greater role that athletes like him play and how they can maximize their visits to other countries. &quot;The [FIVB] Volleyball Foundation, I think, is very, very good because [it] make good with the sports. It&#x27;s very important, because we have all things, but all around the world is not like this. So, I think that we have to do something great with our presence in every country we visit,&quot; he said. Giannelli shared some advice to the younger generation, who draw inspiration from him on and off the taraflex. &quot;I think that the message I can give to them is to try to be a good person, first of all, because this is what we need now and after this to enjoy the energy of sport, to stay together with your friends, your family and to make sports great,&quot; he said.

Beyond winning back-to-back titles in the FIVB Men's World Championship, Italy team captain Simone Giannelli aims to continue inspiring the younger generation.

Beyond winning back-to-back titles in the FIVB Men's World Championship, Italy team captain Simone Giannelli aims to continue inspiring the younger generation.

More than volleyball: Italy's Simone Giannelli aims to inspire next generation

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More than volleyball: Italy's Simone Giannelli aims to inspire next generation

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 29, 2025 01:11 PM PHT

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Men's Volleyball

Volleyball

2025 FIVB Men's World Championship

Simone Giannelli

Italy

Volleyball Legacy Project

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