I hope Coach Raul Lozano reads this.
The head coach of China recently shared his thoughts on players getting naturalized to play for another country and he’s NOT a big fan of it.
“I am not an enthusiast of this idea. Wilfredo Leon is an amazing player, every coach would like to have him on the team. Me too! Provided that I was running a club, not a national team. For me, this is a rasp. I understand that Leon speaks Polish, he has a Polish wife, but he grew up in Cuba, where he learned volleyball. Not only that, he played the senior world championship with Cuba’s senior team! I do not question Leon’s sports value, because he is one of the best players in the world. If Iran had in his ranks Leon in Rio, in the final Brazil would have played against Iran and not Italy. Would it be fair?”
Word got to Leon and he eventually aired his side in an article published by przegladsportowy.pl
“The subject of my participation in the team is indeed a bit controversial. However, the most important thing for me is to defend the colors of the nation that I have chosen and how best to do my job. I am very happy that Polish fans give me so much kindness and accept me with open arms. I am also happy to talk to them myself, I give autographs and pose for photos with undisguised pleasure.”
In case you’re wondering the EXACT DATE Leon will be allowed to play for Poland, it will be on July 24th, 2019 – almost a year away from the 2020 Olympics and just in time for the Olympic Qualification Tourneys.
Leon will also be playing in the Italian League this coming season for Perugia together with Lanza, Atanasijevic and De Cecco.