Oleh Plotnytskyi, the captain and heart of the Ukrainian national volleyball team, has announced his retirement from the national team. 🏐💙💛 In an emotional message shared on social media, the 27-year-old outside hitter expressed his gratitude to his teammates, coaches, and fans who have been an inseparable part of his journey.

Born on June 5, 1997, in the village of Letkivka, Vinnytsia Oblast, Plotnytskyi began his volleyball journey under the guidance of his father at the sports school in Khmelnytskyi. His talent quickly took him to Kharkiv, where he joined "Lokomotyv". With this team, he won two Ukrainian championship titles in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, as well as the Ukrainian Cup in 2015.

The international stage also did not remain indifferent to Plotnytskyi's talent. In 2016, he led the youth national team to asilver medalat the U20 European Championship, where he was namedMost Valuable Player (MVP). Subsequently, as captain of the men's national team, he played a key role in thehistoric quarter-final qualifications at the European and World Championships, leaving an unforgettable mark on Ukrainian volleyball.

In 2018, Plotnytskyi took on a new challenge, joining the Italian club"Monza", and later"Perugia". With "Perugia" he achieved significant successes:
🏆 5x Italian Supercup(2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)
🏆 2x Italian Cup(2021/22, 2023/24)
🏆 Italian Champion (2023/24)
🏅 Italian Supercup MVP (2022)
🏅 Club World Championship MVP (2023)

Bulgarian fans had the pleasure of watchingPlotnytskyi live during the 2023 European Championship in Varna, where Ukraine faced Bulgaria in the group stage.The captain of the "blue-yellows" demonstrated his class on home soil, in a match that remained memorable for local volleyball fans.

The decision to retire from the national team comes after years of dedication and achievements. In his message, Plotnytskyi emphasizes his belief in the future of Ukrainian volleyball and expresses hope to be part of the national team again, albeit in a different role. He assures fans that he will continue to work for the development of the sport in Ukraine and thanks them for their unwavering support over the years.

Oleh Plotnytskyi leaves behind alegacy that will inspire generations of volleyball players in Ukraine and around the world. Hispassion, leadership and achievements will forever remain in the hearts of fans and in the annals of Ukrainian sport. 👏🔥