While volleyball may not be as popular as soccer, it is nonetheless well-known and has given rise to a number of well-known figures worldwide. Professional players will tell you differently, but to most, it’s a beach sport done for fun. Yes, both pros and beginners can enjoy themselves while playing, but there is also a significant financial potential. You can see how popular volleyball has become by looking at the highest-paid volleyball players.
1. Wilfredo Leon – $1.4 million
Wilfredo León Venero, full name Birthdate: July 31, 1993 Age as of 2022: 28 years old Role: Outside hitter As of this now, Sir Safety Perugia Polish-Cuban One of the highest paid male volleyball players in the world is Wilfredo Leon. He is an outside hitter for Sir Safety Perugia. Leon is regarded as one of the greatest volleyball players of all time.
He had already won every professional volleyball title by the time he was 24 years old. Wilfredo Leon is one of the wealthiest volleyball players, earning over $1 million in pay annually.
2. Earvin N’Gapeth – $1.35 million
Full name: Earvin N’Gapeth Date of birth: 12th February 1991 Age: 31 years (as of 2022) Position: Outside hitter Current team: Modena Volley Zenit Kazan’s outside hitter is also a force to reckon with regarding professional volleyball players’ salaries. The French national earns $1.35 million per year. He made his debut for Tours VB in the 2008/9 season and managed to win a Pro League Title after three seasons. Since then, he has represented big teams like Kuzbass Kemerovo, Cuneo Piemonte and Modena.
3. Bartosz Kurek – $1.1 million
Full name: Bartosz Kamil Kurek Date of birth: 29th August 1988 Age: 33 years (as of 2022) Position: Outside hitter/Opposite Current team: Wolf Dogs Nagoya. Even though he began his career as a basketball player, Bartosz switched to volleyball and emerged as one of the best in the game. He debuted as a professional volleyball player in the 2004/5 season, playing alongside his father. He is a 2009 European Volleyball Championship gold medalist and earns about $1.1 million.
4. Robertlandy Simon – $967,000
Full name: Robertlandy Simón Aties Date of birth: 11th June 1987 Age: 34 years (as of 2022) Position: Middle blocker Current team: Cucine Lube Civitanova. Robertlandy Simon is a unique talent since he plays a significant role in the Cucine Lube Civitanova team. Among volleyball pros who make less than $1 million a year, he comes in first. He has performed for Copra Elior Piacenza, El Jaish, and Al Rayyan in the past. He is thought to be one of the top blockers in the game at his best position. For five years, he led the Cuban national team as captain.
5. Dmitriy Muserskiy – $950,000
Full name: Dmitry Aleksandrovich Muserskiy Date of birth: 29th October 1988 Age: 33 years (as of 2022) Position: Middle blocker / Opposite Current team: Suntory Sunbirds.
As of 2022, Dmitriy Muserskiy makes $950,000. He is a Russian volleyball player for the Suntory Sunbirds who was born in Ukraine. At the age of eight, he began playing volleyball with Coach Boris Osnach.
He is most effective as a middle blocker and has two FIVB World Cup and World League championships to his credit. In addition, he has received multiple awards for Most Valuable Player and Best Blocker.
6. Aleksandar Atanasijevichane – $920,000
Full name: Aleksandar Atanasijević Date of birth: 4th September 1991 Age: 30 years (as of 2022) Position: Opposite Current team: PGE Skra Bełchatów. Aleksandar is a wealthy volleyball player who plays for the Serbian national team and the Italian club Sir Safety Perugia. The list of clubs he has represented before includes Skra Belchatow and Partizan. He was part of the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2011 & 2019 European Championship. He has been recognized as one of the best spikers and scorers alive.
7. Gyorgy Grozer – $870,000
Full name: Gyorgy Grozer Date of birth: 27th November 1984 Age: 37 years (as of 2022) Position: Opposite Current team: Monza. The Hungarian volleyball player Gyorgy Grozer has an annual salary of $870,000. He has been a crucial member of his national team, having represented it in the 2009 CEV European League, 2014 FIVB World Championship and 2017 CEV European Championship. He has played for about 16 teams since 1992 when he made his professional debut.
8. Matt Anderson – $850,000
Full name: Matthew John Anderson Date of birth: 18th April 1987 Age: 34 years (as of 2022) Position: Outside hitter / Opposite Current team: Sir Safety Perugia. Matt Anderson’s volleyball salary is $850,000 as of 2022. The American volleyball player is highly valued in his country, having represented it at: The 2016 Olympic Games 2018 FIVB World Championship FIVB Nations League FIVB World League NORCECE Championship He also won several titles while playing for Zenit Kazan.
9. Maxim Mikhaylov – $714,000
Full name: Maxim Mikhaylov Date of birth: 19th March 1988 Age: 34 years (as of 2022) Position: Opposite hitter Current team: Zenit Kazan. Maxim Mikhaylov is yet another Zenit Kazan player who makes it to the list of the highest-paid volleyball players in the world. He has won gold medals in the World Cup in 2011 and the 2012 London Olympic games. He also got a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
10. Ivan Zaytsev – $620,000
Full name: Ivan Vyacheslavovich Zaytsev Date of birth: 2nd October 1988 Age: 33 years (as of 2022) Position: Opposite Current team: Italy. Volley Lube’s Ivan Zaytsey comes at number 10 with a salary of $620,000. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player award three times in 2010, 2012, and 2016. Even though he has Russian roots, he is the captain of Italy’s men’s national volleyball team. In his career, he has managed to win almost all the major awards in the game.