The Cuban left winger Dariel García Rivera became the fifth player born in Cuba to compete in the German Handball Bundesliga on Thursday, making his debut with MT Melsungen in the opening match of the 2026-2027 season, as reported by a report from 14ymedio.
The 29-year-old player from Santiago took to the Max Schmeling Arena in Berlin for 19 minutes and 41 seconds during his team's defeat against Füchse Berlin, with a score of 31-33. He also made his scoring debut in the German championship with two goals from three attempts.
The signing has a background: Melsungen was able to closely observe the qualities of the Cuban when both clubs faced off in the quarterfinals of the EHF European League during the 2024-2025 season.
His 1.96 meters height, defensive solidity, and versatility as a winger convinced the German club, which signed him with a one-year contract and the opportunity to compete in the EHF Champions League, a tournament that Melsungen qualified for after winning the European League 2025-2026.
García Rivera arrives from CD Bidasoa Irún, where he played for five seasons, and has a record of 197 matches and 501 goals in eight seasons of the Spanish ASOBAL League, in addition to 46 games and 128 goals in European competitions.
His career in Spain began in 2018 with Ciudad de Logroño, continued at ADC Guadalajara between 2019 and 2021, and solidified at Bidasoa Irún until this summer.
When bidding farewell to the Basque club in June, the player wrote on Instagram: “Today is not just any day. Today I have to say goodbye to a part of my life that has meant everything. These have been years of effort, sacrifice, joys, defeats, and lessons… but above all, they have been years filled with passion.”
In Melsungen, he will wear the number 31 and will work under the guidance of the Spanish coach Roberto García Parrondo, who is well aware of his capabilities and has highlighted his contributions to defensive tasks.
The presence of Cubans in the Bundesliga dates back to 1997, when Julián Durañona —who later became an Icelandic citizen— began his stint at THSV Eisenach, accumulating 596 goals in 136 matches across three German clubs.
They were followed by the Guantanamo native Julio Fis, who was part of THW Kiel during the 2001-2002 season, contributing 83 goals in 25 matches; Jaliesky García, with six seasons and 498 goals at FRISCH AUF! Göppingen from 2003 to 2009; and Rolando Urios González, son of the legendary Granma pivot, with seven matches at Füchse Berlin from 2017 to 2019.
García Rivera has also represented Cuba internationally, including his participation in the 2025 Men's World Championship, which places him among the most prominent active handball players from Cuba.
The Cuban handball has experienced a significant diaspora in recent years: in July 2025, three players from the national team defected during a tour in France on their way to the World Championship in Croatia, later signing with a Spanish club.
García Rivera, on the other hand, gradually built his path in Europe over eight years before making the leap to what is considered the best league in the world, summarizing it with a single phrase when introducing himself to his new club: "New season, new colors."
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