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In the midst of the golden era of Cuban men's volleyball, a spectacular figure emerged, one who was predicted to have a promising future, Leonel Marshall, son of another great of the same name who was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the Montreal 76 Olympics.
However, the young man from Havana chose a different future and now, after two decades, we meet again, and here are his experiences from that long journey.
You were one of the most remarkable figures in Cuban volleyball; in fact, you were the youngest member of the national team at Sydney 2000 and one of the first to seek new horizons.
Yes! Time has passed, but the good thing is that here we are. Back then, there was practically no opportunity to play professionally on our own, to truly demonstrate how good we were and to earn a salary that reflected that level of quality.
And so later, while we were at a tournament in Belgium, we woke up to the news that Ángel Dennis had left, accompanied by rumors that we might not be able to return to the Italian League where we were under contract through the Cuban Federation. In this way, we naturally opted for what suited us best: to develop, adapt to new ways of playing, new techniques in volleyball, and we dove into experimentation.
Not without pain we left the national team behind to delve into professionalism. We did not want to leave the team; we aspired to reach an agreement with INDER to allow us to play abroad on our own and continue representing the country.
And of course, we did not receive a positive response, and at that point, we were forced to embark on our journey like any other player in the world aspiring to compete at the highest level, which in this case was in the Italian League.
I imagine that leaving the house, the neighborhood, and your fans was very difficult
Very tough, imagine that I am an only child. My parents are the most important thing in my life. When you do something almost without thinking, sometimes you don't realize the magnitude of the act and you ask yourself: What have I done?
I was very young, just 20 years old. For me, it was euphoria, happiness, a whole world ahead. But when I got up and saw everything I had left behind, what can I say? It was really tough. I assure you it was sport itself that forced me not to think too much, that compelled me to survive, to set aside the nostalgia for my parents, the people, the culture, everything.
Volleyball was the weapon that made us think less and push forward. Although achieving your first successes without your family and friends nearby is very tough. Only those who experience it truly understand. Who do you want to share your accomplishments with? With your loved ones! I couldn't, at least not closely.
Marshall Junior's first steps after making a decision that would change his life forever.
I spent a year training in Rome, Italy, as I had to serve a suspension from the International Federation. Then the president of the Piacenza team came to invite me to play for his club.
I played there for six years. I did really well; in fact, it has been my second home in Italy. Those were some lovely years, they treated me very well. My first coach was Julio Velazco, the Argentine, and the first thing he did was change my position from opposite attacker to setter, something I am very grateful for today. He had great foresight.
Piacenza wasn't your only club in Italy, was it?
No, I played in Rome and then again in Piacenza before I went to volleyball in Turkey, which was the first country outside of the Italian courts, as I then played in China and Portugal, from where I returned at the age of 35.
At this time, as a seasoned veteran, I am playing in Serie A2 with Catania.
Of all the teams you have played with, which has been the best for you?
Look, I don't like to change teams too often. As I told you, I started with Piancenza. I was there for almost eight years and then moved on to China, Portugal, and Turkey. Now, in terms of quality and professionalism... Italy is the best, their level of play is impressive.
However, when we talk about organization by clubs, the Turkish League is the one that stands out. Regarding this important aspect, playing with the Fenerbahce team was a unique experience.
Fenerbahce is a multi-sport club with basketball, volleyball, and soccer, and they treat all three sports equally. It was a wonderful experience. Turkey is a very beautiful and diverse country. The Islamic and Catholic worlds coexist here. People are very kind and passionate about sports. I'll tell you something: that was where I felt the best professionally.
As for the awards received..
Oh, Julita, I play for fun, for the warmth of my teammates, for the fans who fill the arenas, and of course for my personal well-being, no doubt about that. But I don't focus much on whether I won this or that award.
I don't like being in the spotlight; rather, I prefer to be part of a collective for which I fight and make an effort. I enjoy growing as a team and feeling joy for the shared success.
Let's go back to Leonel Marshall as a child. I imagine that, with the great Leonel Marshall from the Olympic medalist team at home, everything there would have been about sports
You are not mistaken. At 14 years old, I joined the EIDE "Mártires de Barbados," and at 16, I arrived at Cerro Pelado, the national team headquarters, as you know. I was part of the youth squad for a short time because by 17, I was a member of the senior team, where I played as an opposite. I remained there until I was 21, when I decided to pursue other paths.
I have always yearned for the opportunity to represent my country because it is the greatest achievement, the highest aspiration of any athlete. Obviously, playing professionally provides economic and emotional stability because you compete with the best volleyball players in the world, and you grow.
But I reiterate that representing Cuba, regardless of political matters or internal problems; representing your people, I believe, has no comparison and no price.
However, you achieved another dream that every athlete has: attending the Olympic Games at a very young age.
Indeed, the Olympic experience in Sydney was impressive. It is the pinnacle of what an athlete can aspire to, and those games were spectacular, from the opening to the closing ceremony, the organization, the competitive level, and the support from fans at all the venues.
It’s true that I didn’t play much, but rubbing shoulders with the best in the world is an indescribable, unforgettable experience. It would have been something special to win a medal, which we were close to achieving, but we still did a good job. We lost in a historic tie-break against a very strong Russian team.
Despite the setback, I see it as a positive experience; it was a wonderful tournament that taught me a lot both as an athlete and as a human being. I shared many realities with people from various countries.
Which of your teammates from that golden team did you feel the most comfortable with?
They were Osvaldo Hernández, Alexeis Argilagos, Ramón Gato, Pavel Pimienta, Yásser Romero, Jorge Luis Hernández, Alaín Roca, Rodolfo Sánchez, Raydel Poey. I was the youngest, and we all got along excellently. They looked out for me, and I respected them a lot.
Would you have liked to match Roberlandy Simón and "the Russian" Maikel Sánchez, who returned to compete for the Cuatro Letras?
When I was younger, of course I would have loved it. Previously, the conditions weren't right. Now the paperwork is substantial. But I'm content playing in my league in Italy.
At 45, I only think about giving my best and once the tournament is over, going home to rest and relax. If I were younger, maybe I would try, but that train has already left.
Like every Cuban, you are aware of the noticeable decline that Cuban sports have experienced in the world. What is your opinion?
What do you want me to say, Julita? The decline of Cuban sports is inevitable, except for the geniuses who have always existed in individual sports. Team sports have collapsed.
I remember that in my times, baseball and volleyball, for both genders, were at the top on a global level. Now I don't know if it's a lack of government support, indifference from those involved in sports in Cuba, but the truth is that it’s a disaster that hurts us all, regardless of where we are or whether we like sports or not.
Cubans had a high standard in culture, medicine, and sports. Cubans, the people, were knowledgeable about all sports, artistic expressions, and the position held in medicine. We took pride in … That no longer exists!
There is nothing more to see than the delicate situation the country is in; what sport is going to exist? Since 2010, everything has been in decline.
I close with a bombshell: for you, the best volleyball players in the world of all time
There are so many players, I can't choose, Despaigne, Diago, Ihosvany, Giba, Dante, Ricardiño, add to that the amazing Russian players, the excellent Italians, the young talents from many countries who make the courts their own. Honestly, I can't answer that, Julita.
Leonel Marshall has been recognized multiple times for his outstanding career in professional volleyball. Among his most notable awards is the Best Receiver in the European Cup (CEV Cup) 2016-2017.
In the Turkish Super League 2014-2015, he was the best outside hitter, and in the Turkish Cup 2013-2014, he was recognized as the best blocker and best outside hitter. In the Challenge Cup 2013-2014, he was named the best blocker.
During the 2010-2011 season in the Turkish Super League, he received three awards: most valuable player (MVP), best receiver, and best spiker.
In the 2009-2010 Italian Serie A1, he was the top scorer, while in the 2005-2006 season, he won the award for best scorer in the Coppa Italia, was the top scorer in the Italian Serie A1, and was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the CEV Cup.
Gratitude to this young man whom I met as a child when his father would take him around the offices of the Ciudad Deportiva, then he would spend time with my children at the EIDE, and later I interviewed him at Cerro Pelado. It was a pleasure, dear Leonel Marshall Junior.
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