Valerio Vermiglio

Valerio Vermiglio, born on March 1, 1976, has built an extraordinary career in the world of volleyball, establishing himself as one of the finest Italian and international setters. From a young age, he demonstrated talent and determination, starting his volleyball journey at the “Domenico Savio” Salesian Oratory in Messina. His skills soon caught the attention of top Italian clubs, leading him to join Sisley Treviso, where he made his “Serie A” debut at the age of 19 during the 1995-1996 season, playing a crucial role in securing the European Super Cup title.

Following his early successes, including his first Italian Championship, a Champions League title, and another European Super Cup, he gained further experience as a starting setter in Serie A2 with Salerno, in Serie A1 with Falconara, Padova, and Parma’s Maxicono team, reaching an Italian Cup final and a playoff semifinal.

In the 2002 season, he returned to Sisley Treviso, where he experienced one of the most intense and successful periods of his career. During this time, he claimed 4 Italian Championships, 4 Italian Cups, 1 CEV Cup, 5 Italian Super Cups, and 1 Champions League title, earning the award for Best Setter in Europe.

His career in Italy continued with Lube Banca Marche Macerata, where he played from 2007 to 2011, adding another Italian Cup and a Challenge Cup to his achievements, further cementing his reputation as one of the top setters in Serie A1.

In 2011, Valerio Vermiglio made a significant career move by joining Zenit Kazan, one of the most prominent and ambitious clubs in the Russian Super League. He played a key role in Zenit’s historic Champions League victory — the first in the club’s history — and was named Best Setter in Europe for the second time. He also secured the Russian Championship, the Russian Super Cup, and two Gazprom Cups, proving his exceptional skills in an elite international context.

Following his Russian stint, he embraced new challenges abroad, playing in Iran and later in Argentina, where he participated in four Club World Championships and won the Argentine Cup.

Alongside his club achievements, he enjoyed a remarkable career with the Italian National Team, earning over 300 caps and serving as team captain from 2005 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2010. He contributed significantly to Italy’s major international successes, including the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, gold medals at the 2003 European Championship in Berlin and the 2005 European Championship in Rome as captain. He was also instrumental in Italy’s World League victories, winning gold in Mar del Plata in 1999, silver in Poland in 2001, and silver in Rome in 2004.

By the end of his playing career, he had collected over 40 trophies across clubs, the Italian national team, and individual awards.

During his playing years, he earned a degree in Sport Science and Techniques. After retiring from competitive volleyball, he successfully transitioned into the fields of education and sports management. He obtained a Master’s degree in Special Educational Needs and certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

He has since established himself as a trainer, speaker, and mental coach, sharing his extensive experience to inspire young people, students, athletes, coaches, managers, and companies. His talks focus on crucial topics such as leadership, talent discovery, personal growth, emotional management, assertiveness, and handling pressure in competitive and performance-driven environments.

Valerio Vermiglio has also worked as a guest lecturer at the University of Messina’s Sports Science faculty, delivering a specialized module titled “The Role of the Playmaker in Team Sports.”

One of the most significant aspects of his post-sporting career is his commitment to sustainability, with a specialization in Dual Career — a subject he passionately advocates. After earning his Manager of Sustainability in Sport certification in 2024, he dedicated himself to promoting this value through training and awareness initiatives. Recognizing the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of competitive sports, he actively supports educational and professional pathways that empower athletes to build solid futures beyond their sports careers.

He currently collaborates with the Illumina team, a Sport e Salute project aimed at promoting social and educational values through sports while encouraging healthy lifestyles. This initiative seeks to expand sports participation across all age groups and territories in Italy, fostering a culture of movement and physical activity. Additionally, he works with the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) as an ambassador for the Volley S3 program, which emphasizes fun as a catalyst for engagement, enthusiasm, and long-term participation in volleyball.