National League Dumi
Implications of Denes Varga joining LAAC for National League
Denes Varga, the legendary Hungarian water polo player, has retired from professional water polo, capping off an illustrious career in the European professional leagues with a 2024 Champions League Trophy, as the team captain of Ferencvárosi Torna Club (FTC).
The 37-year-old athlete concluded his international career in 2024, having won every major title in the sport.
Varga's career highlights include:
Olympic gold medal in Beijing 2008
Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021)
World Championship gold medals in 2013 and 2023
European Championship gold medal in 2020
Multiple silver and bronze medals in European Championships
Varga was widely recognized as one of the best water polo players in the world, and is arguably one of the most complete and creative shooters of all time.
And he’s coming to America to compete in National League under the Los Angeles Athletic Club banner.
Honestly, this is what the sport needs. Los Angeles Athletic Club games will now be a premier ticket in the sport, a far cry from the championship matches at Fisher Cup (National League Championship Tournament) that would routinely count only family members of players and other athletes in the stands.
Water polo needs eyeballs. This reminds me of Messi joining the MLS as a member if Inter Miami. It will give a much-needed charge to viewership.
Plus, Varga is a regimented and disciplined athlete. I have no doubt that he will be in shape and ready to introduce his brand of water polo to a wider audience.
This will make other teams prepare more dutifully. This is the beauty of sport, love thy competitor, for they are the ones that make you strive for greatness.
I see no drawbacks here, except for the poor soul that sits at the end of the bench for LAAC that will need to find another team to compete for, and potentially one of their rotation players that may be getting wet a little less often with a world class player in their midst.
Otherwise, its fantastic. Kudos on the recruiting LAAC!