From the bitter disappointment of missing the Paris Olympics to wearing the iconic No. 10 cap at Ferencváros, Vendel Vigvári’s 2024/25 season has been nothing short of transformative. Now, just days before the Champions League Final Four in Malta, the 22-year-old finds himself not just as a starter, but as one of the spiritual leaders of a team chasing history.
“I’m really happy with how the season has gone so far,” Vigvári tells Waterpolo360. “I believe both the team and I have performed well. Personally, I’ve made progress in many areas, but honestly, we want to put the finishing touch on this weekend — that’s what we’ve been working towards.”
From Underdogs to Favorites
FTC’s triumph in Malta last year was a storybook upset — a team not expected to win, defying the odds. This time, however, the script is flipped.
“It’s definitely on our minds to some extent,” Vigvári admits when asked about arriving as the favorites. “The media emphasizes that we’re favorites, and naturally, we expect a lot from ourselves and want to win. So overall, the feeling is different from last year. I think it’s always harder to defend a title than to win it the first time.”
Still, he’s not letting the pressure distort FTC’s game plan. “We have to let that go and approach these two matches the same way we did last year: one game at a time. Neither game will be easy, but first, we have to beat Marseille, and that’s where our full focus is.”
The Brother Question
Should FTC and Barceloneta both win their semifinals, a unique family moment awaits: Vendel vs. Vince — two brothers, two teams, one trophy.
“Family and friends keep saying how big and special it would be to play against each other in the final, and I agree,” he says. “But when the game starts, there’s nothing special about it. I don’t want the fact that my brother is in the opposing team to distract me.”
He’s been here before. “We’ve played against each other several times, and I never focus on that during the match. Honestly, I’m not excited about it beforehand either — but afterward, you can feel it.”
A Sharpened Scoring Edge
This season has seen a new side of Vigvári — more assertive, more clinical. “It’s definitely a conscious effort.”
“Over the past few years, I’ve improved a lot defensively — I’m much more confident at the back and can read the defense better. I really enjoy that side of water polo. But because I focused so much on defense, my attacking game somewhat took a backseat. So now, both I and my coaches are consciously working on improving that.”
He knows there’s still more to come. “It’s not easy, especially as a young player in such a team, but there’s still room to grow.”
Marseille on His Mind
While the final may carry emotional stakes, it’s the semifinal that carries real danger.
“Honestly, they’re very good,” Vigvári says of Marseille. “Early in the season, we had a tough training camp with them in France, which was very useful. They later came to Budapest, where we felt more confident playing against them.”
“They have exceptionally skilled players in every position — each with real offensive and defensive threats. We’ll have to neutralize those key players.”
But he’s confident. “We don’t want them to take advantage of their opportunity; we want to stop them. I don’t think we fear Marseille; we just need to focus on ourselves.”
Leading Quietly, Boldly
Despite his age, Vigvári’s influence within FTC is growing.
“My role has definitely evolved over the years,” he explains. “Last year, I clearly felt a big step forward, and even more so this year. Of course, there are older and more experienced players ahead of me, and I’m not always the one calling the plays in attack. But I do feel that in defense, I often direct others.”
He adds, “I want to keep progressing year by year and become more of a leader, but I don’t want to be disrespectful toward the seniors. That could create unnecessary tension. I just want to win, and if I can help — whether with my play in the pool or by encouraging teammates from the bench — then I’m satisfied.”
Mental Toughness — And Letting Go
On mental preparation, Vigvári speaks with clarity and control: “I definitely have a routine now. I try to arrive at these moments relaxed but fully prepared.”
He’s even taken steps to cut out distractions. “I’ve been almost off social media recently. I don’t even have the apps installed, which felt strange during the Hungarian league finals because I didn’t sense any of the hype the media and fans were creating. Because of that, I really felt these were just games.”
He recalls a story from the 2008 Olympics to drive his mindset home: “Dénes Varga was pacing nervously — completely natural — and Dumi asked Péter Biros if he wasn’t nervous. Péter answered, ‘It’s just another game!’ I try to think like that, too.”
Fuelled by the Summer that Wasn’t
The Olympic snub last summer still lingers — but not as regret. As motivation.
“At the start, maybe subconsciously, I wanted to prove something to others,” he admits. “But I had no regrets about myself and didn’t change much because I was truly in good form.”
“Sometimes it still comes to mind when others talk about the Olympics, which isn’t a good feeling, but you can’t live in the past. I’m happy that now I have a completely different role in the national team, too.”
Eyes on the Prize
What would winning again mean?
“Last year, beating Pro Recco in the final after three years of heartbreak — that was unbelievable. It was always special. This Final Four will be different because now we are the team everyone wants to beat.”
“But let’s win it, and feel free to ask me then how it feels to be a Champions League winner again,” he smiles. “I’ll be happy to talk about it because that’s what we’re working for. So I’m really looking forward to you asking me that question once more.”
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