Xavi García is one of several great players who retired from their national teams after the Tokyo Olympics.
But, unlike the others, who will play for the clubs, García said goodbye to playing water polo. He ended his career this summer.
García won medals with two national teams. Playing for Spain, he collected five medals, including gold at the 2009 World Championships. After he wasn’t invited to the national team in 2013, García took Croatian citizenship. He debuted for Croatia winning silver at the 2016 Olympic Games. In the following years, he took two medals at the World Championships (gold and bronze) and bronze at the 2018 Europeans.
He retired as Jug’s captain. García won the 2016 Champions League playing for Jug.
“It’s very difficult to vote because there are a lot of players that can (and must) be in the top 5. Perrone, Jaksic, Lopez Pinedo, Loncar, or Ivovic are some players that (in my opinion) must be there too…” started Xavi for Total Waterpolo.
Xavi Garcia’s Top 5 for 2021
1. Dusan Mandic (SRB)
Serbian National Player I Club: Pro Recco, Novi Beograd I Position: Right Driver
Mandic won the Champions League with Recco and was the MVP of the Final Eight. He played a fantastic tournament. Of course, he was the Olympic champion again. An incredible and unforgettable year for him. Congrats!
2. Filip Filipovic (SRB)
Serbian National Player I Clubs: Szolnok, Olympiacos I Position: Right Driver
This year, as in many previous seasons, he was one of the best players in the world. In the Olympics, he was a decisive player in some important games, and we can't forget that he won the LEN Euro Cup with Szolnok.
3. Stylianos Argyropoulos (GRE)
Greek National Player I Club: Olympiacos, Jug Adriatic I Position: Driver
Last season, Olympiacos wasn't as strong a team as often is. However, Olympiacos did make some young players like Stylianos take a step forward. We can't forget that the Olympic Games were the most important tournament last season and he was probably the biggest surprise in Tokyo. Argyropoulos and Genidounias, were Greece's leaders in attack, getting the best result in their national team's history. I don't want to forget Zerdevas. An incredible tournament. Congratulations to them, too!
4. Maro Jokovic (CRO)
Croatian National Player I Clubs: Brescia, Jug Adriatic I Position: Right Driver
After a long time, Brescia won the Italian championship again and achieved the club's best-ever result in the Champions League (3rd place). Maro was a leader in the club and the national team, as in many previous seasons.
5. Denes Varga (HUN)
Hungarian National Player I Club: FTC I Position: Left Driver
After a hard knee injury, fortunately for water polo lovers, he came back in shape. Ferencvaros played the Champions League final for the second time in a row and Varga won the Olympic bronze medal with Hungary.
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