Gabi Guimaraes by the pool tells story of leaving Brazil: 'I needed to leave my comfort zone to chase the dream'

In an intimate conversation by a pristine pool, two Brazilian volleyball legends – setter Bruno Rezende and outside hitter Gabriela Guimaraes – looked back on the challenging journeys they faced when they decided to leave Brazil to play overseas. There was no trophy placed between them; instead, there were stories of doubt, lingering injuries, and the moment they had to ask themselves: 'Am I ready?' Gabi, one of the best outside hitters of her generation, admitted that she had long planned to play abroad. But that dream did not come easily. She shared: '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, and I understood that I needed to be mentally ready not only as a player, but as a person, and that 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 story is not just about a player changing clubs. It reveals the quiet fears that rarely appear on the court. Before becoming a pillar of the Brazilian national team and conquering major titles in Europe, she was a young woman full of uncertainty. Signing with VakifBank, one of the strongest women's volleyball clubs in the world, for the 2026-2026 season was a giant leap. Gabi did not go to Turkey to be a substitute; she went to become one of the main pieces in a highly ambitious squad. 'The scenario I found when I got there was mind-changing, as it showed me right from the start that I was getting into a whole other level of volleyball,' she recalled. 'It was really challenging and demanding at the start. 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.' This detail reveals a hidden corner of elite sports: even the best athletes often feel they are not good enough. That invisible pressure is heavier than any spike. But Coach Giovanni Guidetti, known for unlocking the potential of female athletes, saw something in Gabi that she had never seen in herself. He not only placed her in a leadership role but also helped her believe that doubt is not a weakness – it is part of growth. When the conversation turned to the Brazilian jersey, Gabi could not hide her emotion. She recalled being first called up to Brazil's youth national team in 2026. Training at Saquarema alongside the generation that had just won the Beijing Olympic gold medal was a major sign. 'To play 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.' Saquarema, Brazil's famous volleyball training center, has shaped generations of players. For Gabi, being in the same atmosphere as Olympic champions at just 14 years old gave her a belief no training program could teach. She understood that the highest level is not only about fitness or technique; it is about daring to dream big and daring to leave what is familiar. Bruno Rezende, sitting in the same conversation, shared a similar path. As an experienced setter with countless titles, Bruno listened and understood his younger teammate's emotions. His first move abroad was not easy either, but those bold decisions shaped his champion mentality. Looking at the whole story, one clear message emerges: maturity does not come from avoiding fear, but from facing it. Gabi did not let injuries or self-doubt become obstacles. She chose to jump into the most competitive environment, where every move is questioned, to learn how to stand up again after falling. For Brazilian women's volleyball, losing a talent like Gabi to VakifBank may have seemed like a 'brain drain'. But reality shows the opposite: when Brazilian female players compete overseas, they develop more completely. The tough leagues in Turkey, Italy or Poland help them raise their game, and when they return to the national team, they bring valuable experience. Gabi's journey also offers a perspective for Vietnamese volleyball. Instead of avoiding challenges, stepping onto international courts helps players realize their true limits. Vietnam's Olympic dream in women's volleyball will only come true when young talents are equipped with enough courage to leave the comfort zone of domestic leagues. That moment by the pool may be just a small conversation in volleyball history. But for anyone following the careers of female athletes, it is a powerful reminder: behind every powerful spike or spectacular save lies a journey of overcoming fear and making sacrifices. As for Gabi Guimaraes, she did not just leave Brazil. She stepped out of her own shadow to become one of the true leaders of women's world volleyball.