It was such an emotional event for the 38 yr old as he said goodbye to his teammates, fans and family over the weekend.
After 24 years playing volleyball including 12 amazing years with the Brazilian National Team, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and middle blocker Andre Heller has retired from volleyball.
Andre says…
“My plan was to play up to 40 but in 2012 I got injured and that changed it all. The injury limited me a lot since last season but I decided to play because our club (Volei Brasil Kirin) got a sponsor. I did my best with the help of doctors, physical therapists, alternative medicines and treatments. But, I cannot play like this anymore.“
Tough decision when you end your career because of an injury.
FIVB Images
In an article released by CBV, Andre recalled how his parents supported his career.
“My parents have always had a very difficult life and gave us 10 times more than they had. Then in my first year of volleyball after school, I needed to work, but my sisters decided to sponsor me for a year. In that time, I received my salary and everything worked. And then comes the Marcelle (wife and former setter of the Brazilian women’s national team), who gave me Helen, my daughter, who are key people in my life.”
One of the most unforgettable moments throughout his career…
“When we talk about achievements, undoubtedly, the most important is the Olympic title in Athens 2004. I mirrored myself playing volleyball when I watched Brazil winning the gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After that match, I told my mom I would also be Olympic champion. I had two years of volleyball at age 15 and kept it with me all the time. The medal came as a prize of the whole process that I had with the sport.”
What’s next for Andre…
“I’m preparing for retirement since I started in volleyball. I knew that this is a short career. Reconciling studies of athlete’s life is very difficult and therefore I studied slowly. Since I arrived in Campinas, went back to college, already thinking of opening up possibilities for when that time came.
I will continue in volleyball. I can not give up 24 years of experience. And this does not refer exclusively to titles, achievements or anything. I speak to have the awareness of how the sport can transform a person’s life. I have owned to talk about it and want to now help others to undergo this transformation.”
The future looks bright and exciting for Andre.
Best wishes Mr. Heller! Thank you so much for all the volleyball memories!
From his former teammates…
Exemplo pra mim! Exemplo para os brasileiros!obrigado @andreheller13oficial ! Nos agradecemos por cada ensinamento dentro e fora da quadra!!
Minha homenagem a esse amigo e grande companheiro que hoje se despediu das quadras… André Heller!!! Campeão olímpico, mundial e de tudo que poderia ser…. Porém o principal foi estar ao seu lado e ver sua determinação, garra e lealdade aos seus companheiros. Sem duvida alguma um grande exemplo para mim. Agradeço por ter sido companheiro de time assim que cheguei em Florianópolis com 18 anos e depois companheiro de tantas batalhas na seleção. Obrigado por tudo meu amigo @andreheller13oficial ! Tudo de melhor na sua vida sempre. Grande beijo pra vc e sua familia #exemplo #campeaodetudo #ganso
Parabéns pela belíssima carreiras Senhores!