Italian
After winning his second consecutive World Championship, Italian middle blocker Simone Anzani has officially announced his retirement from the national team.
MANILA (PHILIPPINES) – He had said it just moments after winning his second consecutive World Championship: the Olympics was his last major goal with the national team. But instead, he had to miss them — due to heart problems and the subsequent ablation procedure that usually marks the end of an athlete’s career.
But no. Simone Anzani got back up once again and returned to the top of the world. Not only thanks to his incredible grit, determination, and courage, but also thanks to the constant support of his loved ones, who stood by him and pushed him all the way to that final point that secured the World Championship victory.
Moments of disconnected joy, disbelief, and many tears followed. Finally, the announcement to the team during the dinner held in Manila, with the coveted trophy in hand. An intense and moving speech that summed up ten years of joys and hardships wearing the Italian jersey, which he proudly donned 211 times.
In between, a silver medal at the 2015 World Cup, a bronze at the European Championships the same year, gold at the 2021 European Championships, gold at the 2022 World Championships, silver in the 2025 VNL, and finally, gold at the 2025 World Championships.
A splendid career with the Italian national team. Ending in the best possible way for him, born in Como on February 24, 1992. With a gold medal around his neck and immense joy in a heart that has faced many problems, wearing the Azzurri jersey for the last time.
Thank you, Simone Anzani, for the example you have been and for the joy you have given us.
Words from Anzani
“The medal I wear around my neck is one thing, but my greatest medal is you, my teammates. I want to thank each one of you. You all know that I’ve had two difficult years because I didn’t know if I would be able to be with you again, if I could still do what I love: play volleyball. You know that my biggest goal was to participate in the Olympics, and now, after this World Championship, it’s time for me to step away from this jersey because I owe it to my family and to all the people who sacrificed for me. I owe it to my daughters, who many times were without their father.”
“With the national team, I have experienced many joys, like today, but also pains after some defeats. I want to thank all of you, the coach, the entire staff, the president, and the federation, who have always stood by me.”
The full video message to the team from Simone Anzani
Photo Credits: Federvolley,it
