Argentina may be best known for its triumphs on the international football stage, but at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Volleyball Championship, La Albiceleste has rallied behind its volleyball warriors as they carry the nation’s flag with pride in a competitive 32-team field.
The country’s legacy in football — immortalized by legends like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona — will forever shine in sporting history. With three FIFA World Cup titles, Argentina is the third-winningest football nation.
Yet beyond the pitch, La Albiceleste feels determined to prove that it deserves recognition as a perennial contender in men’s volleyball as well.
Now competing in its sixth consecutive World Championship, Argentina looks to add to its growing volleyball résumé. For opposite hitter Pablo Kukartsev — who has been a mainstay of the national team since 2013 — the tournament represents a golden opportunity to cement their place among the world’s elite.
“For us, it’s an honor to be able to represent Argentina in this kind of tournament. We know how important this championship is and we will try to lift our country to the highest position possible,” Kukartsev told the press after powering his squad with 21 points on 16 attacks, three blocks, and two aces in a four-set win over South Korea on Tuesday morning at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“We will fight in every match for everyone who supports us — family, friends — and we’re going to try to give our best for our country and our people,” he added.
Argentina has long etched its name into the international volleyball scene with notable achievements, including a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, five South American Games championships, three Pan American Games titles, and two Pan American Cup golds.
What remains missing, however, is an elusive World Championship trophy. Argentina’s lone podium finish came back in 1982, when it clinched bronze on home soil.
Understanding the stakes, the 32-year-old opposite hitter emphasized the importance of playing with composure and confidence against the world’s best.
“We know this tournament is really difficult — we have to play every match like a Final. The early stages are tough because there are always a lot of surprises,” Kukartsev said.
“I think today we played more relaxed, more comfortable. Now we have to think about the next game against France. We want to take the top position in the group to get a better path in the quarterfinals. We just need to focus on the next match and do our best.”
Now on the verge of advancing to the Round of 16, Argentina is setting its sights on Pool C’s top seed in a crucial showdown against France on Thursday, still at the Big Dome.
Kukartsev acknowledged that the Filipino crowd may lean in favor of the French, but he stressed that any show of support, big or small, will be valuable for the squad.
“The match against France will be really crucial. I think Filipinos will support France more because they’re two-time Olympic champions and the favorites of the group. But even if we just have five people cheering for us, it’s enough. We’ll take that support as extra motivation to try and win the game,” he concluded.
#WATCH: Pablo Kukartsev takes pride in representing football-loving Argentina on the volleyball world stage at #MWCH2025! 🇦🇷🏐
📹 Ernest Tuazon/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/S8YYl33zOM
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 16, 2025
