Gabi opens up on leaving Brazil: VakifBank was the 'mind-changing' shock that took her to another level

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimaraes did not talk about spectacular rallies or trophies from the past. They talked about the hardest decisions in their careers: leaving Brazil to play overseas and leaving their comfort zones to reach another level. Gabi's story was especially thoughtful because she spoke not about the glamour of big leagues, but about mental readiness, fear of injuries, and the sacrifices needed to move forward. Gabi admitted she once doubted herself before joining VakifBank. She had a plan to play abroad, but it was not easy to know if she was ready. After experiencing injuries, she questioned whether she had what it took to play in the world's best leagues. She started thinking more seriously about moving overseas after the Rio 2026 Olympics. At that time, she was still earning her place with the Brazilian national team, and she understood she needed to be mentally ready not only as a player, but also as a person. She needed to leave her comfort zone and make sacrifices to take the next step. Her first step abroad was huge. She signed with Turkish giants VakifBank before the 2026-2026 season. It was not a soft landing. VakifBank was one of the strongest teams on the planet, filled with superstars and constant title pressure. Gabi joined as one of their main stars and quickly realized she was entering a completely different level of volleyball. She described the experience as mind-changing. It was challenging and demanding at first, but she built a great relationship with head coach Giovanni Guidetti. One of the first things he told her was that he wanted to prepare her to be the team captain. Gabi was shocked because she had never seen herself in that position. That detail revealed what the scoreboard never shows. VakifBank did not only need an outside hitter who could score points. They needed a leader who could connect defense with attack and keep the team calm during the most intense moments. Guidetti saw something in Gabi that she had not yet seen in herself. It was not only about skill, but about belief. For a young Brazilian player making her first overseas move, being given the captaincy mission at a club like VakifBank was both an honor and a huge responsibility. Gabi turned that pressure into motivation to develop. When the conversation turned to Brazil's jersey, Gabi spoke gently. Playing for the national team was a childhood dream. She always loved watching and playing sports and dreamed of representing Brazil, winning a medal and listening to the national anthem. She played many sports before volleyball, but when she was first called up to Brazil's youth national team in 2026 and arrived in Saquarema alongside the incredible generation that won gold at the Beijing Olympics, she felt a strong sign that she should continue. She had never been so close to her dream before. The moment in Saquarema became a source of strength for her. Seeing the senior players who had just returned from the Olympic summit, training and competing under the same roof, made her understand that the road ahead would not be smooth. But being that close to her dream gave her a reason to keep going. The journey from a young girl in Brazil to the biggest stages in the world was never a straight line. There were days she questioned if she was good enough, injuries that made her doubt herself, and decisions that forced her to leave her family and friends behind. Yet her dream of wearing Brazil's jersey and the belief of people like Guidetti helped her push through. Gabi's story is not just an ordinary sports interview. It reflects a reality many Brazilian athletes face when they want to compete abroad. The Brazilian domestic league is already very competitive, but the club environment in Europe, especially in Turkey and Italy, is denser with stars, faster in tempo, and more demanding in terms of results. For an athlete recovering from injury, the safe choice is to stay in a familiar environment. The bold choice is to step out and accept the challenge. Gabi chose boldness. She did not speak about her success at VakifBank as something guaranteed. She spoke about the process, the difficult beginning, the need to adapt, and the trust of a coach who gave her a leadership role she had never imagined. This shows that an athlete's maturity does not come only from victories, but from how they face their own fears. Gabi was afraid she might not be good enough to play in the best leagues. But she did not let that fear stop her. She prepared mentally, accepted sacrifices, and trusted the process. Her conversation with Bruno by the pool is a reminder that success is often built on quiet decisions made in a player's early twenties. When fans see Gabi playing confidently for the national team, few know that she once sat by a pool and told Bruno about her doubts. She wondered if she was good enough, dealt with injuries, and left home to find a better version of herself. Success did not come from a contract. It came from the mental preparation before the contract was signed. Gabi's journey also offers a lesson about leadership. A strong team needs people who can sacrifice for others, listen, and guide. The captaincy that Guidetti wanted to give Gabi was not only about wearing an armband. It was about uniting different personalities into one team. Gabi had never thought she could do that, but her coach's belief helped her discover her leadership ability. That became a key part of her growth. For young people chasing a dream in sports, Gabi's story carries a clear message: the road to the top is never easy. There will be moments when you ask yourself if you are good enough. There will be times when you want to stay safe. But if your dream is big enough, you must be brave enough to leave your comfort zone. Gabi did that. She left Brazil, joined one of the biggest clubs in the world, faced the pressure, and grew day by day. Her story will keep inspiring young athletes who believe that hidden sacrifices, not just final scores, define a true champion.