By Marco Bianchi
August 24, 2025
Verona, Italy – Italian volleyball star Daniele Lavia will miss the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in the Philippines, scheduled for September 12–28, after sustaining a severe right-hand injury during a national team training session. The news, confirmed by the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) on August 23, 2025, deals a significant blow to the reigning world champions as they prepare to defend their 2022 title.
Injury Details and Recovery
Lavia, a 25-year-old outside hitter for Trentino Volley and a key member of Italy’s national team, suffered a crushing trauma to his right hand in an accidental fall during training in Verona. Medical evaluations revealed compound and exposed fractures to the fourth and fifth finger phalanges, necessitating urgent surgery. The procedure, performed by Dr. Massimo Corain and Dr. Francesco Giardini at Borgo Trento Hospital’s Hand Surgery Unit, successfully reconstructed the bone and tendon tissues, with Lavia’s hand now immobilized in a custom brace.
According to FIPAV, Lavia will begin rehabilitation in approximately two weeks, but the injury’s severity rules him out of the World Championship. Recovery timelines suggest he may also miss part of Trentino Volley’s 2025–26 SuperLega season, prompting the club to publicly demand accountability from FIPAV, hinting at potential legal action over “economic-financial responsibilities” due to the significant loss of their star player. A post on X by @Volleyball_it stated, “Durissimi i toni di Trentino Volley: si valuteranno anche responsabilità economico-finanziarie con la FIPAV,” reflecting the club’s frustration.
Impact on Italvolley
Lavia’s absence is a major setback for Italy, coached by Ferdinando “Fefè” De Giorgi, as they gear up for the World Championship. A veteran of the 2021 European Championship and 2022 World Championship victories, Lavia was a cornerstone of the team’s recent successes, including a silver medal at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). His powerful spiking and versatility, praised by Dao Sport, made him a linchpin alongside teammates like Alessandro Michieletto and Simone Giannelli.
De Giorgi now faces the challenge of reshaping the lineup, with players like Mattia Bottolo, Luca Porro, and Francesco Sani likely to see increased roles. The team, in its final training phase in Verona, included 16 players for the pre-World Championship camp, as reported by La Stampa. Lavia’s injury, noted in a post by @keifornal on X, adds to concerns about roster depth, especially with Slovenia’s Rok Mozic also potentially sidelined by a knee injury.
Public and Team Response
The volleyball community has rallied around Lavia, with fans and teammates expressing support online. A post by @alemichstan on X read, “Get well soon, Daniele 🥹💔🙏🏻,” capturing the sentiment of fans worldwide. Trentino Volley’s statement emphasized the loss of their star, with one X user, @matheus96b, noting it as a rare instance of a club publicly holding a federation accountable for a player’s injury.
Lavia, known for his positive demeanor and social media presence—amassing 400,000 TikTok views in Thailand, per sport.quotidiano.net—has not yet commented publicly but is expected to focus on recovery. His absence may shift Italy’s strategy, relying more heavily on Michieletto and Rychlicki, who shone in the VNL semifinals, according to Eurosport.
Looking Ahead
As Italy prepares for the World Championship without one of its brightest stars, the focus will be on De Giorgi’s ability to adapt. The tournament, a critical defense of Italy’s 2022 title, will test the team’s depth against top competitors like Poland and Brazil. For Lavia, the road to recovery begins, with hopes of returning stronger for club and country.
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Marco Bianchi is a sports journalist covering European volleyball and international competitions.