Turin, 1 October (LaPresse) – ‘This is a medal I wear around my neck, but my greatest medal is you, my teammates.’ With these words, Simone Anzani began his speech announcing his departure from the national team. During a dinner held in Manila after winning the World Championships, the Italian world champion delivered a long, intense and moving message addressed to his teammates, with whom he has spent ten long and intense years. The centre-back, born in Como on 24 February 1992, who has worn the Italian jersey 211 times, won a silver medal at the 2015 World Cup, a bronze at the European Championships in the same year, gold at the 2021 European Championships, the gold medal at the 2022 World Championships, the silver medal in the 2025 VNL and, finally, the gold medal at the 2025 World Championships. Simone Anzani, who, together with all the Italian players returning from the World Championships in the Philippines, was welcomed at Fiumicino airport with a triumphant reception and open applause, also received the virtual embrace of millions of fans throughout Italy, who followed the exploits of a champion who has always fought hard both on and off the court.