Dariel García debuts in German Bundesliga handball

Cuban handball player Dariel García Rivera has become the fifth Cuban-born athlete to compete in the German Bundesliga. Making his debut for MT Melsungen during the 2026-2027 season opener, the 29-year-old winger played nearly 20 minutes in a 31-33 loss against Füchse Berlin.

García, a native of Santiago de Cuba, scored two goals on three attempts during his debut at the Max Schmeling Halle. He joins the Bundesliga following an extensive career in Spain’s Liga ASOBAL, where he played eight seasons for clubs including Ciudad de Logroño, ADC Guadalajara, and CD Bidasoa Irún, totaling 501 goals in 197 matches.

His one-year contract with MT Melsungen offers the opportunity to compete in the EHF European League, a continental competition where he has previously recorded 128 goals in 46 matches.