Gabi recalls journey leaving Brazil: 'I needed to leave my comfort zone to move forward'

By a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi had an open conversation about the challenges they faced when deciding to leave Brazil to play overseas. Gabriela Guimarães, one of Brazil's best outside hitters, shared that moving abroad was never an easy decision, especially after dealing with injuries and doubts about her abilities. Gabi said: "I had a plan of playing overseas, but it wasn't easy to figure out if I was ready for it or not. I had experienced some injuries and had questions 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. I understood that I needed to be mentally ready not only as a player, but as a person. Maybe at that point I'd need to leave my comfort zone and make some sacrifices to take the next step in my career." Gabi's first step overseas was a big one. She signed with Turkish giants VakifBank, one of the strongest teams on the planet, ahead of the 2026–2026 season. She joined a team with massive ambitions and became one of its main stars. She described the scene at VakifBank as mind-changing: "The scenario I found when I got there showed me right from the start that I was getting into a whole other level of volleyball." The early days were challenging and demanding. But Gabi built a great relationship with head coach Giovanni Guidetti, who told her he wanted to prepare her to be team captain. Gabi was shocked because she had never seen herself in that position. Guidetti's trust helped her grow as a leader and as a player. The conversation also turned to the Brazilian national team. For Gabi, wearing Brazil's jersey was a childhood dream. She loved watching and playing sports and dreamed of representing Brazil, winning a medal and listening to the national anthem. Before volleyball, she played many sports. But her first call-up to Brazil's youth national team in 2026 changed everything. Gabi recalled: "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." Saquarema is Brazil's famous volleyball training center. For Gabi, being close to the Beijing 2026 Olympic champions made her dream feel real. Those athletes inspired a young generation, including Gabi. She realized that if she kept working, she could achieve the same things. Bruno Rezende is one of the greatest setters in Brazilian men's volleyball history. He won Olympic gold and spent many years playing abroad. He understood exactly what Gabi experienced when leaving home. Their conversation reflected the sacrifices required to reach the highest level of sport. Gabi's story is a common one in elite sport. Athletes face pressure, new cultures, languages and tougher training environments. But those difficulties help shape champions. Gabi's move to VakifBank was a turning point that allowed her to compete against the best teams in the world every week. Many Brazilian players choose to play overseas in Turkey, Italy, Russia and Poland. That trend shows Brazil's ability to produce talent and Europe's role in helping stars grow. Gabi said doubts, injuries and pressure are all part of success. The important thing is to never give up on the dream. The conversation by the pool closed with deep reflection. Gabi turned her doubts into motivation. From a girl dreaming of the national team to a leader of one of the world's strongest clubs, she proved that leaving your comfort zone can lead to greatness.