Philippine volleyball is taking off. Brazilian folk hero Leila Barros–a national treasure who first captivated Filipino fans when she was brought here back in 2000–is back as the guest of honor at the finals of the FIVB Men’s World Championship in 2025.
She will first dazzle at the semifinals and finals on September 27-28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena as an invitee of AVC/PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
What it all means
Barros, who won an Olympic bronze and was the 2000 Grand Prix MVP, was one of the first foreign stars to enchant Filipino fans–long before social media turned legends into global superstars.
Her reappearance is a glimpse into the depth of how meaningful this championship is for Manila and on every island in the country that loves volleyball.
Clutch Crunch conclusions
Royal welcome: Barros is not just a guest to the event–she’s volleyball royalty on Philippine shores.
Long lost volleyball identities awakened: Barros’ attendance connects to local passions and rekindles old feelings.
Championship worthy hype: Barros’ attendance elevates the event beyond sport to become an emotional homecoming.
Final shot
From court queen to ceremonial figurehead, Leila Barros has returned to the Philippines with the energy as it welcomes one of the biggest stages in the sport back to Manila. September is not just the finals; it is a celebration of legacy.
(Image credits: Agência Brasília from Brasília, Brasil, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image was cropped herein.)