Most Famous Volleyball Players – Updated 2022

Famous male volleyball players

Here are some of the most notable male volleyball players ever, in no particular order:

1. Charles ‘Karch’ Kiraly

With an illustrious career that has seen him triumph in both indoor and beach volleyball at the Olympic Games, Kiraly is a living legend. He also holds the distinction of being the oldest player to participate and win in Pro-Beach volleyball tournaments.

This has earned him the title “World’s Greatest Volleyball Player,” which was further cemented by his induction into the Volleyball Hall of Fame. Kiraly is also known for designing the offense technique called “short play,” which has been very impactful in improving volleyball development worldwide.

2. Lorenzo Bernardi

Lorenzo Bernardi, as the fellow joint winner of FIVB’s Player of the Century, is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around volleyball players ever. The multi-talented hitter and five-time winner of the FIVB World League is a two-time European and World Champion, Olympic silver medalist, and five-time World Champion.

Bernardi, who is only 5’10” (1.76 m), shares the record as a three-time Most Valuable Player at FIVB World Championships with Vladimir Grbich and Volleyball Hall of Fame member Bernardo Rezende – known as “Mochi” in Brazil. He also won the European Championship twice, and the FIVB World Cup once.

Bernardi is one of only seven players to have won gold medals at both Olympic Games and World Championships, as well as five-time world champion Alessandro “Ghio” Guerri. In 2009 – after 16 years – Bernardi returned to play for Italy, helping them to silver at the European Championship.

3. Godoy Fiho, a.k.a. Giba

If you’ve been a volleyball fan for the past decade, you already know who Giba is. During his career, he was widely recognized as the best volleyball player in the world, and he aided Brazil’s national team in winning eight World League titles, three World Grand Championship cups, three World Championships, eight South American Championships, and three American Championship titles.

Giba is one of only five players to have won all the most important titles in volleyball, and he has been awarded as “FIVB player of the century”. He was the first volleyball player to be selected as the Brazilian athlete of the year, and was also named as one of top stars by FIVB…