In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Felipe Perrone, captain of the Spanish national team and one of the most respected players in modern water polo, reflects on his personal journey, the unique culture of the sport, and the values that water polo instills beyond the pool.

Felipe introduces himself as a Brazilian-born athlete who moved to Spain at the age of 16 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional water polo player. Coming from a water polo family, with both his father and brother deeply involved in the sport, his path into the pool was almost inevitable. Growing up around training sessions, pools and competitions, water polo became a natural part of his everyday life.

A central theme of the conversation is the water polo community. Felipe describes water polo as a small sport, but one with an exceptionally strong sense of belonging. The physical demands, constant teamwork and shared struggles create bonds that are often deeper than in more individual sports. According to Perrone, this is what makes water polo special: you are never alone in the pool, and success is always collective.

Felipe also speaks openly about the lack of popularity of water polo, especially compared to sports like football. In Brazil, water polo remains a niche sport, and even in Europe it often lives in the shadow of bigger disciplines. He believes that part of the responsibility lies within the community itself. Players, coaches and clubs must do more to promote the sport, embrace modern communication channels and actively share the values and stories of water polo with a wider audience.

Another important topic is family influence and values. Felipe explains how his father, a former Brazilian national team player, consciously tried to protect him from excessive pressure. Instead of focusing solely on performance, his parents emphasized education, personal development and long-term thinking. Studying alongside his water polo career was never optional, but a fundamental part of his upbringing.

The episode also dives deep into Felipe’s move to Europe. Leaving Brazil at a young age was not easy, but seeing his brother build a career in Spain convinced him that this was the right path. Barcelona became the starting point of his professional journey, allowing him to combine education with elite sport. Felipe highlights how crucial this balance was for his mental stability and long-term success.

Felipe shares detailed insights into the differences between water polo cultures in Spain, Italy and Croatia. He describes Spain as fast and intuitive, Italy as highly structured and tactical, and Croatia as a system built around specialists in specific roles. Each experience shaped him as a player and helped him understand the game on a deeper level.

One of the most fascinating parts of the episode is Felipe’s time at Pro Recco, where he trained and competed alongside some of the greatest players in water polo history. Sharing the pool with legends, observing their work ethic and competing in extremely intense training sessions left a lasting impression on him. For Perrone, these moments were not just about winning, but about learning how excellence is built every single day.

Toward the end of the conversation, Felipe reflects on leadership. Being a leader, he explains, is not only about performance, but about caring for teammates, celebrating collective success and accepting personal sacrifice for the good of the team. The balance between individual ambition and team responsibility is what ultimately defines great leaders in water polo.

This episode offers a deep, honest and inspiring portrait of a player who truly embodies the spirit of water polo – proud of the sport, grateful for the journey, and committed to passing its values on to the next generation.

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