Brazil: Sada Cruzeiro rise again: Leal leads an Eighth Supercopa triumph as Rapha bids farewell

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Sada Cruzeiro have added another chapter to their remarkable history, claiming their eighth Brazilian men’s Supercopa title after a dramatic 3–2 (23:25, 25:21, 25:20, 22:25, 17:15) victory over Vôlei Renata in São José. In a final that seemed to be slipping away in the decisive tie-break, the team from Belo Horizonte found one last surge of determination to turn the match around. For Yoandy Leal, it was another opportunity to shine on the biggest stage; for Raphael Vieira de Oliveira, better known in world of volleyball as Rapha, it became an emotional farewell to the game.

The final, played on October 23 at the Arena Multiuso in São José, delivered everything expected from a meeting between two of Brazil’s leading clubs. Vôlei Renata took the opening set 25–23, but Cruzeiro responded with greater control and intensity, winning the next two sets 25–21 and 25–20. Campinas refused to surrender, taking the fourth 25–22 and forcing a deciding tie-break.
There, the drama reached its peak: Vôlei Renata moved to the brink of victory at 14–11, leaving Cruzeiro facing three match points and an almost impossible task. Yet the reigning power of Brazilian volleyball showed why its reputation has been built on resilience as much as talent. Cruzeiro fought back, overturned the deficit and finally secured the title with a 17–15 tie-break victory.

It was the club’s eighth Supercopa crown, extending its record as the competition’s most successful team. Cruzeiro had previously lifted the trophy in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. The latest triumph also gave the team a third consecutive title in the competition, following its victories in 2024 and 2025. The Supercopa has been held since 2015, with Taubaté winning twice, while Sesi-SP and São José have each claimed one title.

And the night belonged above all to Leal.
The Cuban-born Brazilian outside hitter finished as the match’s leading scorer with 29 points and received the VivaVôlei award as the best player on the court. His contribution was decisive throughout the contest, but particularly in the moments when Cruzeiro needed to recover its composure and find a way back into the match.
At 38, he continues to demonstrate the physical presence, attacking quality and competitive instinct that have made him one of the most influential players of his generation. His return to Sada Cruzeiro brought him back to a club where he had already experienced success, and the Supercopa victory offered another memorable moment in a career that has also left a deep mark on Italian volleyball.
Leal spent three seasons with Cucine Lube Civitanova, from 2018 to 2021, winning major domestic and European honours, including the Italian championship and the Champions League. He subsequently played for Leo Shoes Modena in 2021–22 before joining Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza, where he remained until 2024. His time in Italy helped establish him as a familiar and highly respected figure among SuperLega supporters.

After the final, Leal expressed his happiness at returning to Brazil and winning another title with Cruzeiro, while also acknowledging the quality of the opposition: “I’m very happy to be back in Brazil, at Sada Cruzeiro. Winning a championship is always a great feeling. It was a very difficult match, a great game, and congratulations to Vôlei Renata, who played very well. We are growing as the season progresses, and this match shows that.”

While Leal provided the firepower, Rapha brought a different kind of significance to the occasion. The 47-year-old setter had returned from retirement to help Cruzeiro during a difficult period marked by injuries, answering an emergency call from the club and temporarily stepping back into professional competition. His experience and leadership offered valuable support during the Minas Gerais state championship and the Supercopa, and his presence gave the final an emotional dimension beyond the result.
Rapha’s career has included several important chapters in Italy. He played for Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia from 2006 to 2009, before joining Trentino, where he competed from 2009 to 2013 and collected some of the most prestigious honours in club volleyball. He later returned to the Italian league with Verona, representing WithU Verona from 2021 to 2023.
His return to the court for Cruzeiro was never intended to become a new long-term chapter. Instead, it was a final contribution to a club and a sport that had shaped his career. To finish that journey with a trophy, in front of his family and close to home, made the moment especially meaningful: “I’ve been privileged throughout my career, and this is another one of those moments,” he said. “To be able to close this cycle with a title, at home and close to my family, is very emotional.”

The final also highlighted the strength of Sada Cruzeiro’s collective effort.
Opposite hitter Oppenkoski contributed 27 points, giving the team another powerful offensive option alongside Leal. On the other side of the net, Vôlei Renata produced a determined performance of its own, with Douglas Souza scoring 24 points and Bruno Lima also making a major contribution. Campinas came close to securing its first Supercopa title, but ultimately could not finish the job after building its decisive tie-break advantage.
For Cruzeiro, the victory reinforces a record that has become one of the defining achievements of Brazilian club volleyball.
The team has established itself as a consistent force across domestic and international competitions, with an extensive collection of Superliga, Copa Brasil, South American and Club World Championship titles. The Supercopa remains another important part of that legacy, and the 2026 edition was a reminder of the club’s ability to prevail even when the odds appear to be against it.

There was also a fitting sense of continuity in the way the title was won.
Leal, still capable of dominating a final, represented the enduring quality of a player whose career has crossed continents and generations. Rapha, meanwhile, embodied the value of experience and the emotional connection between a club and those who have helped build its history.
The Supercopa final was therefore more than another trophy for Sada Cruzeiro. It was a night of resilience, individual excellence and a memorable farewell. Leal’s 29 points secured the MVP award, but the decisive comeback belonged to the entire team. And for Rapha, the final whistle brought the perfect ending: one last match, one last title, and the opportunity to leave the court on his own terms.

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