2025 Belonged to Them: The men who defined the season

The 2025 season wasn't just about who won the most trophies; it was about who stood firm when the level of play reached its peak. Across Europe, the gap between the top teams vanished, leaving no room for a drop in focus. Matches were decided by the narrowest of margins, a single service run, a transition block, or a setter’s split-second choice under pressure.

While many reached the elite tier this year, five players stood out for their ability to influence the game's direction. They weren't just part of the system; they were the ones who anchored it when the pressure was highest.

Simone Giannelli - Controlling the Chaos

As the speed of the game increased yet again in 2025, Simone Giannelli remained the one player who consistently stayed ahead of the clock.

His season with Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia was a masterclass in managing volatility. Giannelli’s value was most evident when systems broke down, navigating imperfect receptions and sustained serving pressure to find rhythm where others found panic. His CEV Champions League Final Four MVP and Best Setter honours were a direct reflection of this tactical control.

For Italy, he remained the stabilising force. Giannelli didn’t simply accelerate the game; he decided when acceleration was required, a distinction that continued to separate elite teams from the rest.

Alessandro Michieletto - Reliability Under Targeting

By 2025, Alessandro Michieletto had lost the luxury of surprise. Every scouting report in Europe was designed to limit his influence.

Despite being the primary target of opposing serves and defensive schemes, Michieletto maintained an elite level of efficiency throughout the season. Whether with Trentino Itas or the Italian national team, he proved decisive in non-system situations, closing extended rallies when primary options were neutralised.

His recognition as FIVB Men’s World Championship MVP reflected more than scoring output. It confirmed his ability to remain productive as space shrinks and pressure intensifies, a defining characteristic of the modern elite outside hitter.

Aleksandar Nikolov - The Momentum Carrier

Aleksandar Nikolov’s 2025 was built on responsibility. As Bulgaria’s primary offensive engine, he operated at one of the highest volume rates at an elite level, finishing as the top scorer of the World Championship with 173 points. Beyond the statistics, Nikolov influenced match flow. Aggressive service runs, high-risk out-of-system swings and visible emotional engagement repeatedly shifted momentum in Bulgaria’s favour.

His continued development at Cucine Lube Civitanova was widely noted across the season, reinforcing the notion that impact at the highest level is measured not only in output, but in presence.

Jakub Kochanowski - Structure in Pressure Moments

Poland’s success in 2025 was rooted in clarity, and Jakub Kochanowski provided it. Stepping into the captaincy role, he anchored Poland’s VNL gold-winning campaign, balancing blocking discipline with first-tempo efficiency and on-court organisation. Named MVP of the VNL Finals, his performance illustrated the expanding responsibilities of the modern middle blocker.

In matches defined by narrow margins, Kochanowski offered stability, not only through execution but through leadership that allowed Poland’s system to hold under pressure.

Aleks Grozdanov - Consistency at the Net

While attacking output dominated headlines in 2025, Aleks Grozdanov delivered competitive value through consistency.

Awarded Best Middle Blocker of the World Championship, Grozdanov reduced error margins through disciplined blocking and reliable transition play. His role was essential in balancing Bulgaria’s high-risk offence, providing structure at the net and composure in longer sequences.

In a season decided by sequences rather than single plays, Grozdanov’s reliability proved decisive.

The 2025 men’s season cannot be reduced to five names alone. The depth of performance across European Volleyball made it one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory.

This selection highlights players whose influence repeatedly emerged at decisive moments, shaping tempo, absorbing pressure, and defining competitive balance at the highest level.

In a year defined by fine margins, these five consistently stood on the right side of them.