We take a look at five players who could reasonably be considered to be the best male volleyball stars of all time.
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The sport of volleyball has been in existence since the late 1800s and has continued to thrive in the modern world. A number of domestic leagues, as well as competitions in the world and continental formats besides Olympics exposure means the sport has seen a number of truly great players come and go from the sport. The definition of what may constitute a great player can sometimes differ from person to person. However, for this list we will focus on accolades won, status in their home country and the overall impact made on the sport. With that in mind, here are the top 5 men’s volleyball players of all time.
Konstantin Reva – Volleyball only made it into the Olympics in 1966 but the man remembered as the best player in the pre-Olympic era is Reva. He was an excellent all-round player who particularly excelled at blocking shots and was a key part of the Soviet Union side that dominated the sport at the time. With him in the side they won two European championships and two world championships, besides also picking up bronze in another world championships event. He was also an eight-time domestic USSR champion in his career.
Josef Musil – Widely considered the greatest player ever to emerge from the Czech Republic, Musil was part of a Czech side that won two Olympic medals in 1964 and 1968 while also triumphing twice in the world championships in 1956 and 1966. He also won two European championships in 1955 and 1958. His setting ability is legendary and he was named one of the eight greatest players of the 20th century by the FIVB.
Sergio Santos – Seen as the greatest ever volleyball player to come from Brazil, Santos led the national team to two Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2016 – the latter of which saw him put in a dominating performance. He also has two Olympic silver medals in 2008 and 2012. It was the World League where Santos was more dominant, leading Brazil to seven titles in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and he was also the first libero to be named the World League MVP.
Lorenzo Bernardi – The Italian might not have won any Olympic gold medals but such was his ability that he still managed to inspire his national team to five World League titles in (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994 and 2000 as well as two world championships in 1990 and 1994. He was no slouch domestically either; he won nine Italian Championships during his career. Tall, versatile and consistent – he was in many ways the complete package and is considered one of the greatest ever players of the sport.
Karch Kiraly – Charles ‘Karch’ Kiraly is considered by many as the undisputed GOAT of men’s volleyball. The American wowed many during his time in the game and what is even more amazing is that he is the only man to have won Olympic gold in both indoor (1984 and 1988) and beach volleyball (1996). He also won more than $3 million in prize money from his time playing beach volleyball – and that’s before including the money he made in ads. All in all, it is hard to look past the man the FIVB named the greatest player of the 20th century as perhaps the greatest ever.
