Libya’s 42-year-old libero Foad Elmaarug retires from national team duty

For the past 20 years, Foad Elmaarug has been the heart and soul of Libya's men's volleyball team.

However, his storied stint came to an end on Wednesday, as he announced his retirement from the squad following their final match at the 2025 FIVB World Championship in Manila.

The 42-year-old team captain and libero played his last game wearing the Libya jersey during their final Pool G match against Japan, where they fell 20-25, 17-25, 12-25, finishing with a winless 0-3 record.

Still, it was a memorable campaign for Libya, which returned to the World Championship stage for the first time in 43 years — since 1982.

"We hope you see our young team in the next World Championship, God-willing. Thank you to the Philippine fans," Elmaarug told local media through a translator.

Elmaarug was honored by both his teammates and the Japanese squad.

After the three-set match, he exchanged jerseys with Japan's star opposite hitter Kento Miyaura. He also left his shoes hanging on the net, a symbolic gesture to mark his farewell after two decades of representing Libya on the international stage.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News