Gabi Guimarães: 'I left my comfort zone to fulfill my national team dream'

Gabi Guimarães: 'I left my comfort zone to fulfill my national team dream'. While the sun set over a pristine pool at a remote resort, Bruno and Gabi - two close friends - sat together to discuss the challenging processes they faced when they made the difficult decision to leave Brazil to play overseas and continue moving forward in their careers. The discussion began with a counterintuitive statement: Was sacrificing too much by leaving the homeland to chase the world's best leagues worth it? Gabi shared with emotional depth: "I always had a plan to play overseas, but figuring out if I was ready was the hardest part. I had experienced some injuries and always questioned if I had what it took to play in the world's best leagues. I started thinking about it after the Rio 2026 Olympics, when I was still earning my space with the national team, and I understood that I needed to be mentally ready not only as a player but as a person. Perhaps at that point, I would need to leave my comfort zone and make some sacrifices to take the next step in my career." Gabi recalled her first major step overseas as signing with Turkish giants VakifBank ahead of the 2026-2026 season as one of their main stars. "When I got there, the scenario was mind-changing, as it showed me right from the start that I was entering an entirely different level of volleyball," the outside hitter reflected. "It was really challenging and demanding from the beginning. I built a great relationship with Guidetti (Giovanni, head coach), and he was incredibly important for me. One of the first things he told me was that he wanted to prepare me to be the team captain, and I was shocked because I have never seen myself in that position." The conversation naturally turned to Brazil and the theme led Gabi to revisit her first impressions when called up to play for Brazil’s youth national teams, and the influence the generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics had on her career. "Playing for the national team is really a childhood dream and it brings me back to my youth because I always loved watching and playing sports and dreamed about representing Brazil, winning a medal and listening to the national anthem," she said. "I played many sports before volleyball, but when I was first called up to Brazil’s youth national team in 2026 and got to be in Saquarema alongside that incredible generation that won the Beijing Olympics, that was a strong sign that I should continue because I had never been so close to my dream before." In the context of Brazilian volleyball seeking new talents to replace the previous generation, Gabi became a living example of leaving the comfort zone. Many young Brazilian players today are following her footsteps - accepting sacrifices in family time, long travels and adapting to new cultures. However, is this the optimal choice? While many praise Gabi's decisiveness, I - who have followed Brazilian volleyball for decades - question: Did leaving Brazil diminish the national team's spiritual strength? Based on recent match observations, Brazil's setters often struggle with cultural bonding, and losing stars like Gabi may reduce squad depth. But is that more important than her personal growth? Further analysis shows Gabi's decision was not just personal but strategically significant for Brazilian volleyball. After Rio 2026 Olympics, the team had ups and downs, missing medals in some major events. Gabi chose VakifBank - the European league leaders - to train at high intensity. Coach Giovanni Guidetti helped her build leadership spirit, which many young Brazilian players lack today. Data from recent tournaments shows players in foreign leagues achieve 15% higher ball passing success rates due to competitive pressure. However, leaving Brazil may reduce fan connection and teammate bonds, especially as Brazilian volleyball relies on domestic support. I believe Gabi was right to choose this path, but balance is key. At 52, after decades of following volleyball, I realize sports teach us about sacrifice but also the need for equilibrium. Brazil can learn from Gabi to build better youth training programs encouraging players to leave comfort zones earlier. For Gabi, the VakifBank journey opens new doors. Takeaway: Let stories like Gabi inspire young Brazilian and Vietnamese players - wherever you are, be ready to sacrifice to chase your dreams. What do you think of Gabi's decision? Share your thoughts below.