Paola Egonu announced her intention to leave the Italian women’s volleyball team. The 23-year-old sportswoman is outraged by the racist attacks she receives.

A video circulating on social media shows the Italian woman crying diagonally. She expresses her outrage to her agent after the short final against the USA, where the “blue team” won 3-0 sets and won the bronze medal. “It was my last game for the national team. I’m tired of being asked all the time if I’m Italian. Whenever the team loses, it’s my fault,” said Egonu, among other things.

Egonu is crying 😭 pic.twitter.com/mBHhypGk8w

— @whatsupban (@whatsupban) October 15, 2022

The Italy superstar then spoke to the Sky network and announced her decision to take a break from the national team. “I am proud of the team, the team and myself. It was very difficult to get on the field. Wearing the blue jersey of the national team is an honor, but I would like to have a free summer. Rest like everyone else. It’s funny to me to think that I’ve read people asking me if I’m Italian and wondering why I represent such people. They always target me and point out my mistakes, saying that I could have done better.”

Siamo orgogliosi di chi, as Paola Egonu e le Azzurre della pallavolo, rappresenta l’Italia con lealtà e dedizione, in campo e fuori, nelle victorie e nelle sconfitte.#WeRespAct pic.twitter.com/tBqlErsf4m

— Milan (@acmilan) October 17, 2022

Mario Draghi spoke on the phone with the athlete and expressed his support. “He is the pride of Italian sport and has the potential to win many trophies with the national team shirt in the future,” the Italian Prime Minister’s official Twitter account said.

🇮🇹🏐 Solidarity with volleyball champion Paola #Egon from President Draghi in this morning’s phone call. L’atleta azzurra is the pride of Italian sport and will have the opportunity to win other trophies in the maglia della Nazionale in the future. pic.twitter.com/ZZnWLnhM3P

— Palazzo_Chigi (@Palazzo_Chigi) October 16, 2022

Paola Egonu was born on December 18, 1998 in Cittadella, Italy to Nigerian parents. She is 1.93 cm tall and is considered one of the best players in the world. With the Conegliano shirt, she won everything in her career. In the summer of 2022, he signed a contract with the Turkish Vakifbank.