Italy team captain Simone Giannelli said his visit to a Manila mural honoring volleyball icons and sharing the court with local kids was something he will never forget.
Amid Italy’s chase for back-to-back world titles at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, team captain Simone Giannelli found time to connect with the Filipino community in a unique and unforgettable way.
The 29-year-old setter briefly stepped away from the court to visit a public playground in Manila that had been transformed into a vibrant mural honoring the tournament’s biggest stars.
Created by Filipino artist Maya Carandang under the Volleyball Legacy Art Project, the artwork features icons like Bryan Bagunas, Tomasz Fornal, Ricardo Lucarelli, Jean Patry, Yuki Ishikawa, Erik Shoji, and Giannelli himself.
[ALSO READ: Start of lasting legacy: FIVB turns court into vibrant mural of volleyball stars]
For Giannelli, being part of the artwork was both humbling and inspiring.
“Yes, it's amazing for me. It's an honour for me to be represented in that playground,” Giannelli said. “I'm very happy because with volleyball we can do a lot of good things for the people around the world.”
“I think this is our main goal. We have to be respectful for every country that we visit with volleyball because this is a very good thing for us,” he added.
Playing with locals
The Italian skipper didn’t just admire the mural, he also laced up his sneakers and played with local children at the court, making the moment even more memorable.
Simone Giannelli got to play volleyball with Filipino kids during his trip to the Volleyball Legacy Art Project in Manila. | Photo: Italian Volleyball Federation
“I went with my team, with my journalist and my video guy. We met some very great kids. I played with them. It was amazing," he said.
"They were playing amazing. I understand these people. It was a moment that will be forever in my life, in my memory.”
New-found perspective
Giannelli acknowledged that seeing Filipino kids embrace the sport, on a court where his own image is painted, gave him a new perspective on volleyball’s global impact.
For the Italian star, volleyball is also about building connections, inspiring the next generation, and leaving behind legacies that extend beyond the court.
“I'm very grateful for my life because I can visit a lot of things, meet a lot of people, a lot of different countries. I'm very grateful for what you did for me in this playground,” said Giannelli.
Gratitude for the experience
Through these world championships, Giannelli also admitted growing closer to the Philippines, a country that has shown great affection for the world's no. 2 during their visits to Manila.
“I'm very grateful for you guys [Filipinos] because I think that you are very kind with us," he said. We came from another part of the world. I'm very thankful for what you are doing for us.”
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.