The THE BEST OF 2025 ranking reflects individual achievements, impact on team play, and the significance of players at both club and national levels during the 2025 calendar year. It was compiled by the Volleyball World Social Media Team. Among the top ten volleyball players in the world, Alex Grozdanov 🇧🇬 is placed at No. 8.
No. 8 Alex Grozdanov 🇧🇬 – quiet power and absolute net control
Quiet power. Absolute net control. A leader who speaks through his game. Throughout the season, Alex Grozdanov was a decisive factor in the middle – a true wall on the block.
The Bulgarian international finished the season as the No. 2 blocker in PlusLiga 🇵🇱, making a key contribution to Bogdanka LUK Lublin's historic title in the Polish championship. His consistent performance, proper positioning, and excellent attack reading established him as one of the most effective middle blockers in one of the strongest leagues in the world.
On the international stage, his impact was even more significant. As captain of Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Grozdanov finished as the No. 1 blocker at the 2025 World Championship in the Philippines 🇵🇭, won the 'Best Middle Blocker' award, and played a leading role in Bulgaria's return to the final phase of a World Championship after 55 years – an achievement of historical significance for Bulgarian volleyball.
Who are after Alex Grozdanov in THE BEST OF 2025
No. 9 Jan Kozamernik 🇸🇮
Composure under pressure. An elite player by nature. One of the pillars of Slovenian volleyball, Kozamernik earned his place among the best with a season marked by authority and consistency.
At VNL 2025, the captain of Slovenia made it into the Dream Team and won his first individual award in the Nations League, leading his team to the semifinals for the third time in history. At club level, he also added the SuperLega 🇮🇹 title with Trento – concluding a year crowned with silver.
No. 10 Patrik Indra 🇨🇿
Power that delivers results. Impact that makes history. A true scoring machine, Indra dominated PlusLiga 🇵🇱 as the top scorer and best attacker, earning seven MVP awards throughout the season.
On the world stage, he led Czechia 🇨🇿 to the top 4 at the 2025 World Championship in the Philippines 🇵🇭 – the first such achievement in 55 years. Indra finished among the top three scorers of the tournament and underpinned the historic fourth place of the Czech national team.
The THE BEST OF 2025 ranking, compiled by the Volleyball World Social Media Team, will yet answer the question of how far Bulgarian presence extends among the world elite. Following the already well-deserved recognition for Alex Grozdanov, it remains to be seen which other of our nationals will find a place in the ranking, with the greatest expectations naturally directed towards Alex Nikolov – a player who, with his development, influence, and consistency, is increasingly asserting his place among the best in the world.
The next positions in the ranking will show whether 2025 will prove even stronger and more significant for Bulgarian volleyball at the highest international level.
photo: Nikolay Varadinov
