The 3-0 loss to Germany, which eliminated Argentina from the 2024 Paris Olympics, marks the end of an era for the country's men's national team, as Facundo Conte announced the end of his volleyball career. Captain Luciano De Cecco did not, but also did not confirm his return to the team in 2025. For both of them, the Paris Olympics was their fourth with the Argentine team.
The 34-year-old Conte had been with his country's national team since 2009 and was an important part of the team that secured the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and brought the Argentinians back to the podium at the Games after a 33-year hiatus.
“This was probably the last volleyball match of my career,” he said. “I wanted to play my last match with the Argentine flag on my chest during the Olympics and I am very happy that it turned out that my family was in the stands – nothing better than hugging them after the match. It may not have been the result I wanted, but I am so proud to have represented my country for so long. I dedicated my life to volleyball for the last 21 years and the sport gave me everything I have, but now it is time to start a new period in my life. It's difficult because I can't even imagine my life without volleyball, but I leave with the knowledge that I gave my best on the court every day and that makes me proud.”
Conte, who recently played in his native Argentina with Ciudad Vóley, also spent time in Russia, Poland, Qatar, China, and Brazil during his career, having immense success at club level. Son of Hugo Conte, a volleyball bronze medalist from the 1988 Seoul Games, the outside hitter left Paris disappointed with the Argentine campaign but proud of what he managed to achieve over two decades, on and off the court.
De Cecco is unsure about his future
The 36-year-old De Cecco has likely played his last match with the Argentine national team – it has been confirmed that he will be with Valsa Group Modena next season in the Italian league. The setter, who retired from the national team after Tokyo but returned in 2022, said he would need some time to decide on the future of his international career after Paris, where he was one of his country's flag bearers during the Opening Ceremony.
“Now I will enjoy the little free time before joining Modena to start preparing for the next club season,” he commented. “After that, I don't know. I will talk to my teammates and the federation to find out what the plans are for the future and then I will decide whether to return or not. I think the next two years might be challenging for the national team, but we have the ability to put together a strong team and hopefully have a very good World Championship in 2025 in the Philippines.
volleyballworld.com
photos:volleyballworld.comand X
