His chances of playing for Brazil at the 2020 Olympics is VERY POSSIBLE.
Former star player of the Cuban national team, Yoandy Leal, is now a naturalized athlete of Brazil after getting the approval by the FIVB according to Globo.
The 28 year old only needs to wait for 2 years before he is allowed to play for Brazil. If he gets the invite to be part of the team, we have a feeling he’d say YES knowing that he has NEVER played in the Olympics. The story of Osmany Juatorena, former Cuban player who played for Italy at the 2016 Olympics, may INSPIRE him to take such step.
We just have to wait and see where his career decisions will take him.
In case you didn’t know, Leal last played for Cuba at the 2010 World Champs and finished the tourney with a silver medal together Wilfredo Leon and Robertlandy Simon.
In 2012, he moved to Brazil to restart his career and eventually signed on to play for Sada Cruzeiro. He has been playing for Sada since then and he is one of the main factors why Sada has been very successful in the Brazilian League and also in winning the 2015 and 2016 editions of the FIVB Club World Champs.
In 2015, he became a Brazilian citizen.
A few days ago, he is now recognized by the FIVB as a Brazilian athlete.
In 2020, Leal may be part of the Brazilian national team – we predict.