These fan favorites aren’t just playing for the flag in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
Around two decades ago, Bulgaria’s “golden era” in men’s volleyball featured one Vladimir Nikolov, an opposite hitter who was instrumental in historic bronze medals at the 2006 FIVB Men’s World Championship and 2007 Men’s World Cup in Japan.
Also known as Vlado, Nikolov led the Bulgarians to another bronze medal at the 2009 European Championship, which was followed by a commendable fourth-place finish at the London Olympics three years later.
Alongside a productive club career in Europe and Asia, Vladimir had firmly established himself as a volleyball icon in Bulgaria by the time he announced his initial retirement in 2016.
Years later, not one, but two players in Bulgaria would be keeping the Nikolov name relevant on the Taraflex.
A name that carries weight
Today, the Nikolov name is being carried by 21-year-old opposite hitter Aleksander and 18-year-old setter Simeon — Vladimir’s sons, who are slowly making their own names in the current generation of men’s volleyball.
Collectively known as the “Nikolov Brothers,” Aleksandar and Moni are currently with Bulgaria for the 2025 Men’s World Championship, where they have been at the forefront of their team’s magical run so far.
Even if they have held their own individually, the brothers are well aware of the weight that comes with carrying the surname on the back of their jerseys.
“It’s very important to carry, and it’s very heavy to carry this name on my back. My dad is a legend of the sport in Bulgaria, and in the whole world,” Aleksandar, or Alex, reflected.
“So it’s great to wear his name on my back, and every day is a task and a responsibility to keep the same height. [Making a name] is on the side, but the main priority is defending the family name.”
For Simeon, or Moni, having Vlado to look up to provided a standard to follow, and it was the very motivation that urged them to pick up volleyball at a young age. As he recalls, they grew up travelling with Vladimir throughout his career stops in Asia and Europe, where they were given the opportunity to see him play live.
“Just being with our dad all the time and travelling to every country that he’s played in. And just always having a volleyball in our hands and watching our dad’s games, we felt the need to play volleyball. So we’ve been playing volleyball since we were young,” Moni said.
“It’s nice to have my dad play volleyball at a high level before me. Me and my brother try our best to create a legacy for ourselves, also while acknowledging the name as much as we can,” he added.
Whether it’s carrying the Nikolov legacy or making a name individually, the numbers show that both Alex and Moni are well on track to do just that.
Alex has shone as one of Bulgaria’s main weapons in the World Championship, putting in 90 points throughout four outings just behind Belgium’s rising star, Ferre Reggers (93 points) in the scoring ranks.
Moni, the second-youngest player for the tournament, is averaging 28.25 excellent sets per match on a 39.10 percent efficiency as Bulgaria’s lead setter. Like his brother, Moni has proven to be a cut above the rest, as he is the eighth-best setter in the tournament as of writing.
“It feels good [to play in the World Championship]; I don’t really think about the age, and I’m just glad that I can play. It doesn’t matter if I’m 18 or 38,” Moni, born in November 2006, told The GAME after Bulgaria’s epic five-setter over Slovenia last September 17.
“It’s something that our coach taught us, it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, or experienced or whatever. If you’re a good player, you play; I don’t really think about the age, but it’s a nice fact to be young.”
For Moni, Alex’s and his performances are products of the hard work they have put in behind the scenes.
“I don’t know if expected is the right word, but we worked so hard for this. So I’m glad that the work is showing. I’m just happy that the work that we’ve shown is showing in our games,” he said.
Each other’s keeper
As the icing on the cake, this year also marks Alex and Moni Nikolov’s first time representing Bulgaria in the Men’s World Championship. For them, being together in carrying the family legacy while upholding national pride is what makes every win for Bulgaria sweeter.
“We’re happy to provide this skill and heightened physicality to Bulgaria,” Alex said. “All our teammates are great, and it’s a team sport, but it’s great to play with your brother, obviously. It’s not something that many people can do, so I’m happy that I have the opportunity.”
By sharing the court in Manila, the two brothers have become each other’s safe space as they represent their country and family on the biggest stage for volleyball.
“He’s amazing, and he’s like my comfort person, I can say, in the court; and I’m very happy that I can play with him,” Moni said.
Added Alex, “I mean for sure, if there is one person that I can trust, it’s him, and he showed it against [Slovenia]. Even when I was having a very bad game in the third and fourth set, he still had the trust to give me the balls, which I had to repay the trust by putting them away, and I’m happy that I did.”
Now, the Nikolov brothers have a chance to make even more history for Bulgaria as they take on Team USA for a spot in the knockout semifinals. Regardless of the result, it’s already a win-win situation for the two, as they have led Bulgaria to its first top-eight appearance in 15 years.
“I’m proud. Me and my brother are trying our hardest to [our father’s] legacy, continue the Nikolov name. Hopefully we can medal this tournament, but if not then I know that we’ve given it our all, and I’m sure that he’ll be proud of us of that,” Moni said.
“So I feel like we’re on a good path and I feel that at the end of our careers, the Nikolov name is going to be legendary.”
Images courtesy of Volleyball World.