Global Volleyball Injury Report: Key Stars Return for the 2026 Nations League

As the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) gets underway, the global volleyball community is celebrating the return of several marquee players who spent the past year battling severe injuries. The grueling nature of the modern international and club calendar has taken a heavy physical toll on the sport's top athletes, making this season's rosters a testament to modern sports medicine and player resilience. For defending champions and contenders alike, the influx of healthy veterans is dramatically shifting the competitive landscape.[1][2]

Nowhere is this more evident than with the Italian men's national team, which is welcoming back superstar outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto. In February 2026, Michieletto's club season with Itas Trentino came to an abrupt halt when diagnostic tests revealed an incomplete stress fracture in the right pedicle of his fourth lumbar vertebra.[6]

The lower-back injury forced Michieletto into a prolonged and carefully managed recovery program, sidelining him for the critical final weeks of the Italian SuperLega season. However, Italy's 30-player VNL roster confirms that the 24-year-old phenom has been cleared to return to international action, restoring a vital piece of the reigning world champions' offensive and defensive core.[1][6]

Michieletto is not the only Italian star making a comeback. Outside hitter Daniele Lavia has also returned to the squad after an injury forced him to skip the 2025 World Championship. With both players back on the court, Italy's head coach has nearly the entire 14-man roster that secured the world title at his disposal.[1][2]

Meanwhile, the defending VNL champions, Poland, are celebrating the return of their captain, Aleksander Śliwka. The 31-year-old outside hitter endured a turbulent 2025 after suffering a severe right ankle injury during a national team training camp last July. The awkward landing sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025 VNL pool stage and required a lengthy, cautious rehabilitation.[7]

After a brief and carefully managed return to club play with Turkey's Halkbank Ankara over the winter, Śliwka is now fully integrated back into the Polish national team. His leadership and stability in reception are crucial for a Polish squad that is bringing back 13 of the 14 players who dominated the VNL finals last August.[1][2]

On the women's side of the sport, fans breathed a collective sigh of relief regarding Brazilian superstar Gabriela Braga Guimarães, universally known as Gabi. During a tense Italian playoff match in March 2026, the Conegliano outside hitter suffered a frightening blow to her side and was rushed to a Treviso hospital for emergency medical tests.[3]

Fortunately, extensive examinations ruled out any bone fractures or internal injuries. Gabi's recovery was monitored daily by Conegliano's medical staff, and she returned to the court in spectacular fashion, ultimately leading her club to the CEV Champions League title. She is now fully cleared and expected to be a central figure for Brazil in the women's VNL.[3][4]

While many stars are returning to the court, the international community is also rallying behind players just beginning their recovery journeys. Serbian international and VakifBank outside hitter Katarina Dangubic suffered a devastating left knee injury during the CEV Champions League semi-finals in early May.[8]

Advanced medical imaging confirmed that Dangubic had torn both her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). She recently underwent successful reconstructive surgery in her home country of Serbia and has commenced a long-term rehabilitation program under the close coordination of her club's medical staff.[8]

In Asia, the Chinese women's national team is navigating its own injury challenges as they prepare for the VNL. Head coach Zhao Yong recently announced that 23-year-old star spiker Wu Mengjie—who led China's attack in last year's tournament with an average of 18.92 points per match—will miss the entire 2026 VNL campaign due to a knee injury that requires surgery.[5]

To offset the loss of Wu and the ongoing ankle rehabilitation of fellow hitter Li Yingying, China is leaning heavily on the return of seasoned veterans. Stalwarts including Gong Xiangyu, Wang Yuanyuan, Diao Linyu, and Wang Mengjie have rejoined the squad, providing essential experience and leadership as the team aims to develop younger athletes while remaining competitive on the world stage.[5]

The wave of successful returns across both the men's and women's games underscores the evolving sophistication of volleyball sports medicine. As the 2026 VNL season unfolds, the careful load management of these returning stars will be just as critical as their tactical deployment, ensuring that the sport's brightest talents remain healthy for the grueling Olympic cycles ahead.[1][2]