Spain’s Cesar Irache delivered a blistering performance that grabbed attention during the opening day of the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

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The 17-year-old left-handed opposite racked up 39 points in a single match against Iran on Thursday, a total that ranks among the highest ever recorded at this level. His output included 34 attack points, four aces and a block, spearheading Spain’s offense in the early stage of the tournament.

For Irache, it was never about the stats.

“I just want to win, so I don’t focus on points,” he said. “If that’s what we need to win, I will do 39 points or more.”

The young Spaniard, who recently signed with Superliga Masculina club Pamesa Teruel, has long been seen as one of the top prospects in his country. He was MVP at the WEVZA U18 Championship where Spain claimed gold, and he was also the youngest player called up to Spain’s senior team training camp for the European Golden League.

Now on the world stage in Tashkent, Irache is helping lead a confident Spanish side focused on staying grounded.

“We go match to match,” he said. “We first have Iran, so we only see that. Then we have Egypt, so then we only see Egypt. Only the next match.”

That focus has helped propel Irache through Spain’s youth system, where he was recently named best player of the Spanish Youth Championship. With his combination of height, strength and maturity, the 1.94-meter opposite is emerging as the new face of Spanish men’s volleyball.

“Thank you to all the people who are supporting Spain,” he said in closing. “We are going to do our best to win the World Championship.”

If opening day was any indication, Cesar Irache and Spain are only getting started.

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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