Gabi opens up on leaving Brazil: 'I was afraid, but I couldn't stop'

In the stillness by the pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi shared a conversation that no camera recorded. But the words she offered afterward painted the rawest picture of a high-performance career – one where even the most seemingly successful athlete has suffered through countless nights of doubt. Gabriela Braga Guimarães, known as Gabi, is one of the finest outside hitters in women's volleyball. During a warm conversation by the pool, she sat with Bruno Rezende – the veteran Olympic champion setter – and reflected on the difficult time when they both decided to leave Brazil in search of new challenges overseas. Gabi admitted that she had long planned to play abroad, but it was not easy to know if she was truly ready. She had experienced injuries and kept asking herself whether she had what it took to compete in the world's toughest leagues. The idea first began after the Rio 2026 Olympics, when she was still earning her place with the national team. At that moment, she realized she needed to be mentally ready – not only as an athlete, but as a person. Perhaps it was time to leave her comfort zone and make sacrifices to move forward in her career. Her first overseas step was a bold one. She signed with VakifBank, one of Turkey's most powerful clubs and among the strongest teams in the world, before the 2026-2026 season. She joined that ambitious squad as one of its stars, but what she found upon arrival completely changed her understanding of elite volleyball. “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,” the Brazilian outside hitter 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.” Coach Giovanni Guidetti's belief gave Gabi strength. A girl full of self-doubt gradually turned pressure into fuel. VakifBank not only helped her grow professionally, but also provided the perfect environment for her to handle enormous expectations. Few people realize that behind every spectacular play and trophy lies an unforgiving process, where failure cannot become a habit. Wearing Brazil's jersey naturally became part of the conversation. Gabi did not hide her emotion when remembering her first call-up to the national youth team and how the Golden Generation that won Olympic gold at Beijing 2026 influenced her career. For her, representing Brazil is not just a job – it is a childhood dream nurtured for years. “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.” Gabi's story raises a larger question about growth in professional sport. Many judge an athlete's success by lucrative contracts or shiny trophies. But in truth, behind every bright moment are thousands of silent training hours, decisive choices made at the right time, and the courage to admit one's own fear. Gabi is no exception. When she decided to leave Brazil for Turkey, no one guaranteed she would succeed. She could have failed, struggled to adapt to the league's rhythm, or been buried on the bench. However, the doubts, the injuries, and the fear of being forgotten shaped the resilient Gabi we see today. The lesson from her story extends far beyond young athletes dreaming of playing abroad. It reminds everyone standing at a career crossroads that bold moves are often preceded by long nights of self-reflection. And when you dare to face your fears, the path ahead opens wider than you expected. During the transfer window, the air is always thick with rumours and endless speculation. But amidst the chaos of deals, Gabi’s story reminds us that greatness does not come from which paper you sign, but from the mental preparation you undertake before daring to sign. A player grows old when he stops believing in the magic of his own feet. Gabi chose to believe, even when everything seemed to be against her. When the poolside conversation ended, Bruno and Gabi laughed as if they had shared a great secret. For anyone following her journey, it was no secret – it was a testament to perseverance. From the comfort zone in Brazil to glory in Turkey, from the fear of being forgotten to the status of one of the world's most inspiring leaders, Gabi has proven herself not only as a world-class hitter, but also as living proof of the power of stepping outside the safe place. Amid the ashes of defeats and the initial fear, she sowed the seeds of healing – growth born from failure, the invaluable lesson every athlete must learn before touching the summit.