Foad Elmaaruug ended his career by bringing Libya back to the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship after 43 long years, closing his journey on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 42-year-old captain, the oldest player in the tournament, quietly played his final match against Japan before tying his sneakers together and hanging them on the net—a symbolic farewell to the national team he had led back to the world stage and to the sport he had loved all his life.
Before leaving the floor, Elmaaruug exchanged jerseys with Kento Miyaura, explaining that Japan’s left-handed star reminded him of his own son.
“I decided I would bring this jersey back home for him,” said Elmaaruug.
“It’s true we lost, but this is just the beginning. I hope Libya will play stronger in the future, and I promise these faces will be seen in the next championship,” he added.
On the other side, Japan finally broke through with a straight-sets win, 25-20, 25-17, 25-12, closing its campaign on a positive note. It was a much-needed relief for the Ryujin Nippon, who entered the tournament with high expectations but were swept by Turkey and Poland in their first two games, ending their hopes of advancing.
Japan gave its fans inside the Big Dome something to celebrate, but Elmaaruug gave everyone a moment to remember—a farewell that marked not only the end of his journey, but also the beginning of a new chapter for Libyan volleyball.
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