Gabi Guimarães: Leaving Brazil is not a step backward, but the necessary leap toward a dream

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimarães opened up about one of the hardest decisions in their careers: leaving Brazil to play abroad. For Gabi, a world-class outside hitter now at VakifBank, the decision was not made lightly. She admitted that after several injuries and doubts, she had to ask herself whether she was mentally ready to leave her comfort zone. The turning point came after the Rio 2026 Olympics, when she realized she needed to grow not only as a player but as a person. Her first step abroad was a bold one: signing with Turkish giants VakifBank ahead of the 2026-2026 season. She found a demanding environment filled with big ambitions. She credits Giovanni Guidetti for believing in her, revealing that one of the first things he told her was that he wanted to prepare her to become captain. Gabi was shocked, as she had never seen herself in that leadership role. She also spoke about her childhood dream of playing for Brazil. Being called up to the youth national team in 2026 and training in Saquarema alongside the generation that won Olympic gold in Beijing was a defining moment. It made her believe she could pursue volleyball seriously. Gabi's story highlights the mental challenges athletes face when making major career moves. Leaving Brazil was not an escape; it was a step closer to reaching her full potential while still carrying her country with her.