These superstars will be putting on a show throughout the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championships in Manila.
From the craftiest playmakers to the most explosive hitters, some of the best talents in men’s volleyball are in Manila for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
With Filipino fans getting treated to 17-straight days of world-class action, here are some of the biggest names that are ready to turn the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum into their playgrounds.
Simone Gianelli (Italy)
Reigning FIVB Men’s World Championship Most Valuable Player Simone Gianelli will once again be the maestro as Gil Azzuri tries to defend their title. As one of the best men’s setters today, Gianelli’s craftiness will surely be must-watch TV as he tries to create opportunities for spikers such as rising star Alessandro Michieletto.
With Gianelli at the helm, Italy also looks to cap off a strong run that already includes a runner-up finish to Poland in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League and a fourth-place finish in last year’s Paris Olympics.
Wilfredo Leon (Poland)
Poland is out to reclaim the world championship against Italy, and a key cog in that redemption bid will be outside hitter Wilfredo Leon. Apart from his offensive prowess, Leon is also known for packing a powerful serve — a skill highlighted by his record 13 aces during the 2021 VNL.
Accompanying Leon in Poland is reigning VNL MVP and middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski, as well as opposite spiker Kewin Sasak. With a potent squad in Manila, Leon and Poland have all the pieces to reclaim the title they once held for two straight iterations.
Similar to the Italians, Poland is also in the midst of a hot streak, having ruled the 2025 VNL, to go along with a second-place finish in the Olympics. What better way to end that with a redemption in Manila, right?
Ricardo Lucarelli (Brazil)
Ricardo Lucarelli is one of the remaining veterans on Brazil’s World Championship roster, and brings a game that has been honed in major tournaments such as the Olympics, FIVB World League, and three prior stagings of the Men’s World Championship.
Luciarell should have added motivation in Manila, given that he was part of the Canarinhos that were denied two straight titles by Poland in 2014 and 2018. Along with their bronze medal finish in 2022, the veteran hitter and his teammates are no doubt eager to restore Brazil’s status as world champions.
Earvin N’Gapeth (France)
Back-to-back Olympics MVP Earvin N’Gapeth leads an intact French core gunning for the World Championship. N’Gapeth brings a mix of swagger, skills, and athleticism, making him one of the most entertaining men’s volleyball players to watch today.
Hopefully, N’Gapeth and the Roosters will find themselves competing for a medal, or even the championship, after their fifth-place finish in 2022.
Kento Miyaura (Japan)
Fans may gravitate towards captain Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi, but Kento Miyaura could be an interesting name to watch for the Ryujin Nippon throughout the World Championship.
More than being the fan favorites’ rising star, Miyaura is expected to have a bigger scoring responsibility given Yuji Nishida’s absence from the lineup. After a strong showing in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League, can Miyaura keep up his fiery form for a depleted but determined Japan squad?
Micah Christenson (United States)
Team captain and three-time Olympian Micah Christenson will make his fourth appearance in the Men’s World Championship as the Americans’ chief playmaker. Christenson is no stranger to the World Championships and previously led Team USA to a bronze medal in 2018.
Jan Kozamernik (Slovenia)
Middle blocker Jan Kozmernik is coming off a strong 2025 VNL campaign in Slovenia, where he was awarded his second-ever Best Middle Blocker award. With a staggering six-foot-nine frame to go along with high leaping ability, Kozamernik will no doubt be crucial as Slovenia tries to score its first-ever World Championship podium.
Luciano De Cecco (Argentina)
Also known as Cachete, Luciano De Cecco is one of South America’s most decorated setters and has been the pulse of La Seleccion’s offense since 2006. No stranger to the international stage, De Cecco is a multi-time Best Setter across some of the FIVB’s now-defunct tournaments, including the Men’s World Cup and the Men’s World League.
As his game ages like fine wine, Cachete also won a Best Setter plum in Argentina’s bronze medal run in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and during the 2023 South African Championship, which secured their World Championship berth.
Robertlandy Simón (Cuba)
Despite announcing his national team retirement last year, veteran middle blocker Robertlandy Simón made a surprise comeback for Los Leones during the 2025 VNL and eventually, the 2025 World Championship.
Simón was part of Cuba’s impressive silver medal finish during the 2010 World Championships, and will look to go full circle as he links up with a core that includes rising stars in Marlon Yant and middle blocker Javier Concepción.
Simeon Nikolov (Bulgaria)
In a list filled with veteran names, we will end with a rising star in Bulgaria’s Simeon Nikolov, or just Moni. At 18, Nikolov is one of the youngest players in this year’s World Championship, but has been given the keys to steer World No. 15 Bulgaria’s offense.
Without a doubt, the future is bright for this kid, who has gotten the privilege to share the world stage with his older brother Aleksandar.
Banner images from Volleyball World on Facebook.