Italian
Monica “Moki” De Gennaro, the most decorated libero in Italian volleyball history, says farewell to the national team after nearly 20 years and 364 caps
CONEGLIANO – We all knew it. Barring a miracle, the victorious World Championship final was always going to be her last match wearing the Italian jersey (white, in this case). Monica “Moki” De Gennaro has officially said goodbye. After winning everything there is to win in 364 international appearances, the Conegliano-based star, born in Piano di Sorrento on January 8, 1987, bids farewell to an Italian national team she helped turn into the most successful ever.
Starting out in the youth teams of Sorrento, Moki moved to Vicenza Volley in Serie A1 at just 15 years old. Her debut with the senior national team came on January 3, 2006. In 2013, after already securing a gold medal at the 2011 World Cup and bronze at the 2006 World Grand Prix, she joined Imoco Conegliano — marking the beginning of the most successful partnership in Italian volleyball history.
From that moment on, her list of achievements exploded — both with her club and with Italy — making her one of the few players in the world to have won every major volleyball title available. Her national team honors include the 2011 World Cup, the 2021 European Championship, three Nations League titles (2022, 2024, and 2025), Olympic gold at Paris 2024, and finally the one title that had eluded her — the World Championship, which Italy claimed just one month ago.
To this incredible list, add numerous podium finishes: silver and bronze at the 2018 and 2022 World Championships, bronze at the 2019 European Championship, and silver and bronze in the 2017 and 2006 World Grand Prix tournaments. In every one of these triumphs, the small-but-mighty Moki played a key role, frequently earning spots in the tournament’s Dream Team.
Capping off her extraordinary career, Monica was named MVP of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League — a rare honor for a libero — and was awarded Best Libero at the recent World Championship. Thanks in part to her leadership and brilliance, Italy achieved a historic 36-match unbeaten streak.
And yes, it will feel strange not seeing her on the court in the Azzurra jersey — the one that brought us so much joy. But at least for now, we’ll still get to watch her flying across gym floors in Italy and Europe with her Imoco jersey, making those seemingly impossible saves.
Thank you for everything, Moki.
Monica De Gennaro’s Farewell Message
“The time has come to say goodbye to the Azzurra jersey. A jersey I have deeply loved, respected with every action, and honored by putting my soul, body, and heart into every match — for nearly twenty years of my life.
I’ve known for a while that this would be my last summer with the tricolor on my chest. I kept it to myself, out of respect for the Federation, the coaching staff, and my teammates. I chose not to speak about it, to stay focused, to live each moment as if it were my first — and my last.
I avoided the questions, smiled at the curiosity, sidestepped the topic. Because first, I wanted to fight. Fight for that one last trophy that was still missing from this extraordinary team. And now, I feel the time is right. It’s time to step aside and make room for the new talents that are growing, strong and ready — and I’m sure they’ll go on to write even more beautiful pages than the ones we’ve already lived.
I admit, I will miss it all. I’ll miss the travel, the training, stepping onto the court with the pride of representing Italy. I’ll miss the locker room laughter, the hard work in practice, even the disappointments — because those made us stronger, too. But above all, I’ll miss the emotions. The real, powerful ones. The shared victories with incredible teammates — extraordinary women and athletes with whom I’ve shared an unforgettable journey. To them, my most heartfelt thanks. For every day spent together, for every goal achieved, for every tear and every smile.
I thank the head coaches who believed in me, who chose me, trained me, pushed me. A special thank you goes to my family — always by my side in the good times, and especially during the tough ones, when wearing this jersey felt heavy, but never heavy enough to make me give up. But now, that time has come.
Goodbye, National Team. From today, there will be a new fan in the stands, a new voice cheering from in front of the TV. But my heart will always be there with you. Thank you, Azzurra jersey. With endless love, Your Moki.”
Photo Credits: Federvolley.it
