CONTE Facundo

General
SKILL OVER SIZE
He says the Argentinian national team have a style of play that is a result of being smaller in stature compared to other national teams. "We may have a broader view of the game, since we watched volleyball from a very young age. We have another understanding of the game, maybe seeing things or having certain natural reactions from reading the game faster than the other guys. We are not physically like Brazilians, Russians and Poles. We are always smaller. So all of this is a difficulty for us, but it also gives us another strength. I think grassroots work in Argentina is fundamental, we often play at a very good technical level. A few years ago, we were the best youth team in the world rankings, so I think that is what marks our identity." (hojeemdia.com.br, 21 Dec 2019)

PLAYING IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
After Argentina lost in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he moved to the People's Republic of China to play for Chinese Volleyball Super League side Shanghai Golden Age. He played two seasons there, winning two league titles, and he says the experience helped him overcome the disappointment of the 2016 Olympic Games. "I needed time for me. To find myself. To find time for myself without the national team and be a normal citizen. It felt good. Living like Facundo and not like Facundo Conte was nice. I was isolated because the Chinese regime is very closed and it is hard to communicate with social media blocked and internet restricted, but I think I was there for a reason, far away from everything. The experience was incredible. I had to invest that time and loneliness in myself. I went to yoga classes, I learned Tai chi, I meditated and found the desire, motivation and energy I needed. I'm over Rio." (clarin.com, 30 Aug 2018)

PARENTAL INFLUENCE
He says that despite his parents' background in international volleyball, he wasn't always sure about following in their footsteps. "When I was around 12 or 13 years old I almost quit. Being Hugo Conte's son was a heavy burden. Plus, people talked a lot and thought I played because of who I was. Over time I got over it and decided to make it my future because I really liked playing. Today I am what I am thanks to him and what he did. My mother and father are always there behind me following everything I do." In the 2006/07 season, he played alongside his father for Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires [GEBA], and they won the Argentine Serie A2 title together. (dxtv.gob.ar, 13 Oct 2015; ambito.com, 18 Jun 2012)