One of the most successful Bulgarian volleyball players, Teodor Salparov, revealed that Gianlorenzo Blengini wanted him back in the Bulgarian national team a year after his retirement from the representative squad. The legendary libero spoke on a number of topics during a special press conference on the occasion of being awarded the "Golden Tricolor" badge.
Salparov was honored for his remarkable contribution to Bulgarian volleyball and on the occasion of ending his competitive career. His first coach in men's volleyball and current head coach of CSKA, Aleksandar Popov, also participated in the meeting with the media.

One of the most interesting topics was related to the current Bulgarian national team and Salparov's decision to end his career in the representative team after the 2023 European Championship.
"I caught a large part of these guys who became world vice-champions. It wasn't up to me to want to continue. I could probably have become a world vice-champion with them. It's no secret that Blengini, even after I had retired for a year, wanted me to come back," Salparov revealed.
However, he is adamant that different generations should not be compared. According to him, one of the biggest weapons of the current Bulgarian team is the atmosphere among the players.
"These guys are a great collective. Based on their self-sacrifice and the fact that, at least for now, they seem very united, they don't have any disagreements among themselves. During my competitive career, there were many such things. With these guys, the atmosphere inside seems much better. They have the full potential, we all see it."
Salparov wished the young Bulgarian team to use their home advantage at the European Championship and reach the final phase.
"I will keep my fingers crossed for them with all my heart to make us happy here with victory after victory and, God willing, to reach the Final Four."
According to him, however, Bulgaria has one more important step to make to establish itself permanently among the best teams in the world – to find consistency in its performance.
"The only thing I've said many times in interviews is that consistency is missing. They can beat a top team, but then they can lose to a team that is at their level."
Salparov recalled Bulgaria's missed opportunities in the last seasons of the Nations League, when the national team failed to win decisive matches against direct competitors for a place in the final phase.
Regarding the prospect of this team one day attacking an Olympic medal, the former national remained optimistic but stressed that the first task is to qualify for the Olympic Games.
"Everyone dreams. You have to look at tournament by tournament. They have raised the bar a lot and now no team will underestimate them. To be honest, there are still 5-6 teams that are better than us globally. That's the reality. But these guys surpassed their development much earlier. They have a huge chance. First, they have to qualify for the Olympics, and then we can think about a medal."
According to Salparov, time is working in Bulgaria's favor because the current generation will only just be gaining experience together, while some of the leading powers are facing a generational change.
"They will continue to play in this formation for many more years, and other generations have slowly started to change. So our team will become stronger and stronger."

Love for the ball brought him back after a severe injury

A large part of the press conference naturally also involved a review of Salparov's remarkable career. He spoke about what kept him going even after the toughest moments.
"The love for the ball. When this sport is in your heart, no matter what happens to you, you are unyielding, you show character, you bring out reserves you didn't believe you had, just to get back on the court."
The operation after the cruciate ligament and patellar tendon injury was particularly severe. Many then believed that Salparov would not be able to return to his previous level.
He himself revealed a curious detail from his recovery – even when he couldn't be on the court, he would hit the ball against the wall at home between 200 and 500 times a day. He would also stay alone in the CSKA gym to practice serving against the wall and set specific goals for himself.

This dedication was also emphasized by Alexander Popov, who worked with Salparov for eight years.
"Unreserved, selfless love for the ball. Not every volleyball player has that, not every athlete has that. Probably that's what distinguishes the classes," Popov stated.
The CSKA coach recalled a case when, after a lost match, he conducted a difficult, nearly two-hour analysis of the team. After it, Salparov and another young volleyball player stayed for two more hours in the gym to play.
"Not everyone can do that," Popov was categorical.

"A leader cannot be appointed by the coach"

Salparov also spoke about the specific role of the libero and leadership in volleyball. According to him, with accumulated experience, a great player begins to read the game and no longer needs to compensate for positioning with spectacular dives.
As for leadership, his position is categorical - it depends neither on the position nor on the captain's armband.
"I never wanted to be the team's leader. It came from within. You either have it in you or you don't. A leader can even be a substitute. A leader is the person who can bring reason and calm, and when needed - also fight during a match."
Alexander Popov added:
"The captain is appointed by the coach, but the leader cannot be appointed by a coach. He builds himself."

Salparov: Discipline makes a big difference

To young volleyball players, Salparov sent a message built on one of the foundations of his own career - perseverance.
"To pursue their dreams and be very diligent in the training process. To listen to their coaches and to love the sport they are involved in. You can have motivation one day, and not have it the next. But when you are disciplined and know that whatever happened the day before, you go and you have to train - that's the big difference."
According to him, these small daily steps build a great career.

A book about his life? Only at 60-70 years old

Salparov has already been offered to tell his career in a book. This happened when he was still a player for Hebar (Pazardzhik), but he refused.
"My opinion is that to write a book, you should be at least over 60 years old. So far, I have walked half of my life and I still have a lot to learn. The fact that every second person writes a book does not mean that I should too."
According to him, a true life assessment would be much more complete at 60-70 years of age, when a person has already accumulated far more life experience.

For now, he remains away from volleyball

Despite his vast experience, Salparov does not intend to immediately start a new career by the court.
For now, I am very far from volleyball in any form. I have other ventures. But never say never. If I can help with my rich experience in volleyball, I am ready.
After so many years in the gym, he wants to dedicate more time to his family and loved ones.
It's normal that after a person ends their competitive career and something they've done their whole life, they want to put it aside for a while. Time will tell.
The awarding of the "Golden Tricolor" became not only a recognition of Teodor Salparov's enormous contribution to Bulgarian volleyball, but also an occasion for one of the greatest players in his position in the history of our national team to reflect on the past and look towards the future of the next Bulgarian generation.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov