Another annual individual ranking in international volleyball once again brought to the forefront the eternal debate about the weight of different roles on the court. This time, the focus fell onSimone GiannelliandAlessandro Michieletto- two of the most important players for world champion Italy, ranked at different positions in the final standings onvolleyballworld.com. The decision to place Michieletto ahead of Giannelli provoked immediate reactions among fans and specialists, as it pits two completely different profiles of influence against each other - individual performance versus overall control of the game. It is in this context that the question arises whether such rankings account for the real impact on each game, or follow simplified criteria that do not always reflect the essence of volleyball.
Indicator
| Alessandro Michieletto 🇮🇹 | Simone Giannelli 🇮🇹 | Main Position |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Hitter | Setter | World Championship |
| 🥇 Gold | 🥇 Gold | 🥇 Gold |
| 🥇 Gold | 🥇 Gold | 🥉 Бронз |
| Nations League | 🥈 Silver | 🥈 Silver |
| Champions League | — | 🥇 Gold |
| Club World Championship | — | 🥇 Gold |
| MVP awards | 🥇 MVP Световно първенство 🥇 MVP Първенство на Италия | 🥇 MVP Шампионска лига 🥇 MVP Световно клубно първенство |
| Dream Team | 🥇 Лига на нациите 🥇 Световно първенство | 🥇 Световно първенство 🥇 Шампионска лига 🥇 Световно клубно първенство 🥇 Лига на нациите |
| Total awards (tournaments) | 3 | 5 |
| Total individual awards | 4 | 6 |
Quantitatively, Simone Giannelli surpasses Michieletto in both the number of tournaments won and individual awards. Particularly indicative is his complete dominance in top-level club competitions – the Champions League and the Club World Championship, where Michieletto has not participated in any gold medal campaigns.
The debate surrounding the ranking and placing of Alessandro Michieletto as No. 1 ahead of Simone Giannelli is not emotional, but structural and professional.
Michieletto undoubtedly had an exceptional season at the national level. He was Italy's engine at the World Championship, fully deserved the MVP award, and was the leading scorer in key sets. This is the profile of a player who decides matches with power, a stable serve, and consistency in attack.
But Giannelli is a player of a different category of influence. As a setter, he doesn't just participate – he directs the entire team. The fact that he is MVP of both the Champions League and the Club World Championship speaks to a total impact on the game at club and international level. His presence in four different Dream Teams for the season is an indicator of consistency that few can achieve.
The main argument of the fans against Michieletto's first place is precisely this:
Michieletto shines within specific tournaments, Giannelli dominates the entire volleyball ecosystem.
From a journalistic perspective, such a ranking would be more convincing if:
No. 1 reflects a combination of club and national success,
the importance of the 'setter' position is considered strategic,
the number and quality of individual awards are a leading criterion.
Michieletto is the face of the future and the star of the new generation.
Giannelli, however, remains the benchmark of modern volleyball.
And that is precisely why, for a large part of fans and specialists, No. 1 logically should be Simone Giannelli, and not Alessandro Michieletto.
