One of Hungarian water polo’s most accomplished players of the modern era, Gergő Zalánki, has publicly addressed his recent absence from the national team, offering his personal account of events that led to his exclusion from recent international selections.
Zalánki’s comments, shared on Instagram, come after months of speculation regarding his non-involvement despite remaining active at the highest level of club water polo. At the time of publication, no official response has been issued by the Hungarian federation or the national team coaching staff.
An established figure in elite water polo
Born in Eger, Zalánki (30) has been a central figure in Hungarian water polo for more than a decade. He progressed through all junior national teams, winning medals at U18, U19 and U20 world and European championships, before making his senior debut in 2015.
At club level, he has played for ZF-Eger, Szolnok, Ferencváros, Pro Recco, and most recently Olympiacos, winning domestic titles in Hungary, Italy and Greece, as well as multiple Champions League crowns.
Internationally, Zalánki has won European Championship gold (2020), Olympic bronze (Tokyo 2021) and World Championship gold (2023). His performances in Fukuoka earned him the World Championship MVP award, followed by World Aquatics, European Aquatics, and Hungarian Player of the Year honours in 2023.
Planned rest and changing communication
In his statement, Zalánki explained that discussions regarding a post-Olympic rest period took place as early as summer 2023, following a recommendation from a sports psychologist working with the national team. According to the player, the plan was discussed openly and supported at federation level.
“This was not a decision I made alone; the federation supported it as well,” Zalánki wrote. “In water polo, this is an accepted practice, so at the time it did not appear risky.”
He described 2024 as an exceptionally demanding year, marked by the financial collapse of Pro Recco and prolonged uncertainty surrounding his club future while preparing for the Olympic Games.
“In this situation, the previously agreed rest was no longer a matter of comfort, but something that helped preserve my mental stability,” he stated.
Omission from camps and championships
Zalánki said that once his rest period began, communication with the national setup changed and eventually ceased altogether.
“At the same time as my rest period began, the tone of communication changed, and later communication stopped completely,” he wrote.
He added that he did not receive invitations to extended squad training camps, nor opportunities to compete for selection, and was later omitted from the European Championship squad without what he described as a professional explanation.
“I was left out of the European Championship without any professional justification,” Zalánki stated.
Questions of consistency and clarity
A key theme of Zalánki’s statement concerned communication and consistency. He said he made repeated attempts to understand the reasons behind his situation and what steps, if any, would be required to return to contention.
“I tried several times to get an answer as to what the specific reason was for this situation, and what I could do for it to be resolved.”
He also questioned why a decision that had previously been accepted later became a point of contention.
“It was particularly difficult to experience that a decision previously accepted by everyone later became disputed, and was then used as a reason why I could not return.”
Zalánki noted that other players in the past have taken similar rest periods without long-term consequences, describing the situation as a perceived double standard.
Mental health and motivation
While emphasising that he does not wish to attack individuals or institutions, Zalánki framed his comments within a broader discussion about mental health in elite sport.
“Mental health is not a privilege, but a basic requirement,” he wrote. “I believe Hungarian water polo can only truly be strong if there is no difference in this regard between one player and another.”
He also stressed that his motivation remains intact at club level.
“At my club, where I am given the opportunity, I do everything for the team’s success. My motivation is there, and my belief in the work is strong.”
An unresolved situation
Zalánki’s statement represents one side of an unresolved situation. Without an official response from the federation or national team staff, the full context behind recent selection decisions remains unclear.
What is not in dispute is Zalánki’s standing within the sport, nor his continued presence at the top level of European club water polo. How his international future develops may depend on further dialogue in the months ahead.
Full translation of Gergő Zalánki’s Instagram statement
Below is a complete English translation of Zalánki’s original post, reproduced for context.
In recent times, I have received many questions about what happened and why I am no longer a member of the Hungarian national team. Since the situation was not entirely clear to me either, I did not want to speak about it earlier.
After long consideration, I decided to speak now, because I consider it important to share my own perspective.
In the summer of 2023, ahead of the World Cup in Los Angeles, on the recommendation of the sports psychologist working with the national team, the idea arose that after the Olympics I should spend a summer resting and recharging with my family. This decision was not made by me alone; the federation supported it as well. In water polo, this is an accepted practice, so at the time the decision did not appear risky.
The year 2024 placed an extraordinary psychological burden on me: my club, Pro Recco, went bankrupt, and I was preparing for the Olympics amid complete uncertainty. In this situation, the previously agreed rest was no longer a matter of comfort, but something that helped preserve my mental stability. I am convinced that in the long run this also served the interests of the national team, because proper performance—especially at this level—requires mental recovery.
At the same time as my rest period began, the tone of communication changed, and later communication stopped completely. I did not receive invitations to extended squad training camps, nor was I given the opportunity to prove myself. I was also left out of the European Championship without any professional explanation.
I tried several times to get an answer as to what the specific reason for this situation was, and what I could do for it to be resolved.
It was particularly difficult to experience that a decision previously accepted by everyone later became disputed, and was then used as a reason why I could not return. This is all the more incomprehensible to me because in the past, and even now, several players have taken advantage of similar opportunities without it ever being a problem.
This double standard creates uncertainty in me and calls into question everything I have worked for over many years.
Water polo is my life. Those who know me understand how seriously I take it; every thought of mine revolves around it, and I have put enormous effort into reaching this level since childhood. At my club, where I am given the opportunity, I do everything for the team’s success. My motivation is there, and my belief in the work is strong. What I miss is clear and honest communication.
I do not want to attack anyone, but to be understood: mental health is not a privilege, but a basic requirement. I believe Hungarian water polo can only truly be strong if there is no difference in this regard between one player and another.
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