volleyball is a sport that captivates millions of fans around the world, and its history is full of extraordinary athletes who have excelled on the court. That’s why we’ve put together a special list of the 20 greatest volleyball players of all time for you to get to know!
Over the decades, some players have stood out as true legends, leaving a legacy that transcends the lines of the game. These athletes not only mastered the technical fundamentals of the sport, but also took volleyball to new heights with their passion, skill and determination.
In recent times, a selection of volleyball athletes have stood out as the best of the best. From skillful setters to powerful attackers, they have demonstrated excellence in all facets of the game, winning titles and individual awards throughout their careers.
So let’s find out who are the 20 greatest volleyball players of all time?
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The 20 greatest volleyball players of all time: complete list
The complete list of the 20 greatest volleyball players of all time includes athletes such as Giba, Emanuel Rego, Dante Amaral, José Loiola and many others. Check out the names!
- Giba
- Karch Kiraly
- Emanuel Rego
- Lang Ping
- Maurício Lima
- Lorenzo Bernardi
- Nikola Grbic
- Andrea Giani
- Sergey Tetyukhin
- Bernard Rajzman
- Dante Amaral
- Wilfredo León
- Renan Dal Zotto
- Stefano Lavarini
- Nalbert Bitencourt
- Lloyd Ball
- José Loiola
- Vladimir Grbic
- Logan Tom
- Karol Kłos
The 20 greatest volleyball players of all time: find out more about each athlete
1. Giba (Brazil)
- Career titles: Three-time Olympic champion (2004, 2008, 2012), World Champion (2002, 2006), among others.
- Teams: Clubs in Brazil and Europe, including Minas Tênis Clube, and clubs in Italy.
- Curiosities: He was voted World Player of the Year by the FIVB three times in a row (2004, 2005, 2006).
- Summary of his life: Born in a humble neighborhood in Brazil, Giba overcame adversity to become a volleyball legend.
- Highest record: Participation in five consecutive Olympics.
2. Karch Kiraly (United States)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medalist (1984, 1988), three-time World League champion, among others.
- Teams: United States national team, clubs in Italy and Spain.
- Curiosities: He is the only player to have won Olympic gold medals in both court volleyball and beach volleyball.
- Summary of his life: Kiraly is known for his relentless work ethic and passion for sport from an early age.
- Highest record: Three consecutive Olympic gold medals.
3. Emanuel Rego (Brazil)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medalist (2004, beach volleyball), three-time Beach Volleyball World Champion, among others.
- Curiosities: Emanuel is widely regarded as one of the greatest beach volleyball players of all time, with a brilliant career that spanned decades.
- Summary of his life: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Emanuel found success in beach volleyball after a transition from court volleyball.
- Highest record: Most titles in men’s beach volleyball.
4. Lang Ping (China)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal as a player (1984), Olympic gold medal as a coach (2016), among others.
- Curiosities: Known as the “Goddess of Volleyball” in China, Lang Ping is a legend of the sport in her country and beyond.
- Summary life story: Lang Ping emerged as a volleyball star during the golden age of the sport in China.
- Highest record: First person to win an Olympic gold medal as both a volleyball player and coach.
5. Maurício Lima (Brazil)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal (1992), World Champion (2002), among others.
- Curiosities: Known for his skill in attack and his leadership on the court, Maurício was a key member of the Brazilian team.
- Summary of his life: Born into a family of volleyballers, Mauricio followed in his father’s footsteps to become one of the best players in the world.
- Highest record: Participation in four consecutive Olympics.
6. Lorenzo Bernardi (Italy)
- Career titles: Olympic Champion (1996), World Champion (1990), among others.
- Curiosities: Bernardi was known for his power in attack and his skill as captain of the Italian national team.
- Summary of his life: Born in Trento, Italy, Bernardi began his career as a talented young player and achieved international stardom.
- Highest record: More than 300 caps for Italy.
7. Nikola Grbić (Serbia)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal (2000), World Champion (2001), among others.
- Curiosities: Grbić was known for his skill as a lifter and his tactical intelligence on the court.
- Summary of his life: Originally from Serbia, Grbić grew up in a volleyball environment and excelled from an early age.
- Greatest record: Voted World Player of the Year in 2000.
8. Andrea Giani (Italy)
- Career titles: Olympic Champion (1996), World Champion (1990), among others.
- Curiosities: Giani was known for his versatility, being able to play as a winger or central midfielder with equal skill.
- Summary of his life: Originally from Italy, Giani had a long and successful career as a player and later as a coach.
- Highest record: One of the players with the most caps for the Italian national team.
9. Sergey Tetyukhin (Russia)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal (2012), World Champion (2002, 2011), among others.
- Curiosities: Tetyukhin is known for his longevity in the sport, competing at a high level for several decades.
- Summary of his life: Originally from Russia, Tetyukhin is one of the most respected and admired players in his country.
- Highest record: Participation in six consecutive Olympics.
10. Bernard Rajzman (Brazil)
- Career titles: Olympic silver medal (1984), World Champion (2002), among others.
- Curiosities: Rajzman was known for his precision attacks and blocking skills.
- Summary of his life: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rajzman had a remarkable career as a player and later as a sports manager.
- Highest record: Olympic medalist and world champion.
11. Dante Amaral (Brazil)
- Career titles: Two-time Olympic champion (2004, 2016), World Champion (2002), among others.
- Curiosities: Dante was known for his incredible jumping ability and powerful attack.
- Summary of his life: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dante had a remarkable career, playing a key role in the Brazilian national team.
- Highest record: Participation in four consecutive Olympics.
12. Wilfredo León (Cuba/Polish)
- Career titles: Olympic Champion (still active), World Club Champion, among others.
- Curiosities: León is known for his exceptional ability in attack and his versatility in various positions.
- Summary of his life: Born in Santiago de Cuba, León is one of today’s most talented players, representing the Polish national team.
- Highest record: MVP in several international competitions.
13. Renan Dal Zotto (Brazil)
- Career titles: Olympic silver medal as a player (1984), World Champion as a coach (2018), among others.
- Curiosities: Dal Zotto is an iconic figure in Brazilian volleyball, having been both a talented player and a successful coach.
- Summary of his life: Born in Santa Rosa, Brazil, Dal Zotto has dedicated his life to volleyball, both as a player and as a coach.
- Highest record: He led the Brazilian men’s team to gold at the 2018 World Championships.
14. Stefano Lavarini (Italy)
- Career titles: Nations League champion (2019), Olympic runner-up (2021, as coach), among others.
- Curiosities: Lavarini is one of the most renowned coaches in women’s volleyball, known for his strategic and motivating style.
- Summary of his life: Originally from Italy, Lavarini built a successful career as a coach after ending his playing career.
- Highest record: He led the Thai women’s national team to historic results in international competitions.
15. Nalbert Bitencourt (Brazil)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal (2004), World Champion (2002), among others.
- Curiosities: Nalbert was known for his powerful attacks and his energy on the court.
- Summary of his life: Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Nalbert was a key member of the Brazilian team during his career.
- Highest record: Participation in four consecutive Olympics.
16. Lloyd Ball (United States)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal (2008), World Champion (1995), among others.
- Curiosities: Ball is known for his ability as a ball handler and for his leadership on the court.
- Summary of his life: Originally from the United States, Ball had a long and successful career as one of the world’s top lifters.
- Highest record: One of the key pieces in the US team that won the gold medal in Beijing 2008.
17. José Loiola (Brazil)
- Career titles: Beach Volleyball World Champion, Beach Volleyball World Circuit Champion, among others.
- Curiosities: Loiola is a beach volleyball legend, known for his aggressive style and defensive skills.
- Summary of his life: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Loiola was one of the pioneers of Brazilian beach volleyball and won numerous titles throughout his career.
- Major record: One of the most successful players in the history of beach volleyball.
18. Vladimir Grbić (Serbia)
- Career titles: Olympic gold medal (2000), World Champion (2000), among others.
- Curiosities: Grbić was known for his skill as a lifter and his competitive spirit.
- Summary of his life: Originally from Serbia, Grbić is considered one of the greatest lifters in the history of volleyball.
- Greatest record: Voted World Player of the Year in 2000.
19. Logan Tom (United States)
- Career titles: Olympic silver medal (2008), FIVB Grand Prix champion, among others.
- Curiosities: Tom is known for her versatility and powerful attack, being one of the greatest players in the United States.
- Summary of her life: Born in Hawaii, USA, Logan Tom excelled from a young age and enjoyed a successful career in international volleyball.
- Highest record: One of the youngest players to represent the United States at the Olympics.
20. Karol Kłos (Polish)
- Career titles: Olympic Champion (2020), European Champion (2009, 2021), among others.
- Curiosities: Kłos is renowned for his versatility as a central midfielder and his contribution to the success of the Polish national team.
- Summary of his life: Originally from Poland, Kłos has emerged as a key player on the international volleyball scene.
- Highest record: Olympic gold medal in Tokyo 2020.
The 20 greatest volleyball players of all time: the rise of the sport
This is the list of the 20 greatest volleyball players of all time! Volleyball’s meteoric rise to the status of one of the world’s most popular and passionate sports is the result of hard work, determination and the passion of the players, coaches and fans who have helped shape its trajectory.
From its humble origins to the global stages of the Olympics and world championships, volleyball has captivated hearts and minds, uniting people from all backgrounds and cultures around a common passion for the game.
That’s why we’ve highlighted the 20 greatest volleyball players of all time. If you like following sports such as volleyball, take advantage of the fact that you’re here and keep browsing the site to find out much more about the subject. Don’t forget to leave a comment on what you thought of the article!
