Wilfredo Leon was in Lodz to watch Poland’s VNL Week 2 home games. When asked about the team’s performance, Leon said in an interview to Przegladsportowy.pl he was pleasantly surprised with the high level of volleyball displayed by his soon to be teammates:
“In my opinion, the team looks great. They play at an even higher level than I thought. I’m very happy about it. They are strong this season and I hope it will be so to the end. If they continue to play like that, they should not have any problems finding themselves in the podium. I can not wait to debut. Every day I regret that this moment can not happen sooner, but I can do nothing about it. Unfortunately, these are the procedures. I am waiting patiently for my dream to come true.”
However, the subject of him finally debuting for Poland’s NT has drawn negative comments by some coaches. Here is what China’s NT coach Raul Lozano, Poland’s NT former coach, had to say of the matter when asked about it during the VNL:
“I am not an enthusiast of this idea. Wilfredo Leon is an amazing player, every coach would like to have him on the team. Me too! Provided that I was running a club, not a national team. For me, this is a rasp. I understand that Leon speaks Polish, he has a Polish wife, but he grew up in Cuba, where he learned volleyball. Not only that, he played the senior world championship with Cuba’s senior team! I do not question Leon’s sports value, because he is one of the best players in the world. If Iran had in his ranks Leon in Rio, in the final Brazil would have played against Iran and not Italy. Would it be fair?”
When told of most of the coaches’ comments, Leon was categorical in stating that he doesn’t mind the controversy, and that he is happy with the support of Polish fans:
“The subject of my participation in the team is indeed a bit controversial. However, the most important thing for me is to defend the colors of the nation that I have chosen and how best to do my job. I am very happy that Polish fans give me so much kindness and accept me with open arms. I am also happy to talk to them myself, I give autographs and pose for photos with undisguised pleasure.”
Leon Praises Coach Vital Heynen, Can`t Hide Anxiety Over Polish Debut
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