Leaving Brazil to Reach the World: Gabi Guimarães Looks Back on the Decision That Changed Her Career

Beside a pristine blue pool, Gabi Guimarães and Bruno Rezende sat across from each other like two old friends who have walked the same road. One is a brilliant outside hitter in Brazilian women’s volleyball; the other is an iconic Brazilian men’s setter. Their conversation did not begin with trophies. It began with fear: the fear of not being good enough, strong enough, or ready enough to leave home. For Gabi, the story started after Rio 2026 Olympics. She was still building her place with the Brazilian national team, yet she could not escape a growing question: what came next if she wanted to move forward? Brazilian players have long moved abroad to reach the highest level. But knowing that a path exists is different from being brave enough to take it. “I had a plan of playing overseas, but it wasn’t easy to figure out if I was ready for it or not,” Gabi said. “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.” Gabi’s first overseas step was a big one. She signed with Turkey’s VakifBank, one of the strongest teams in the world, ahead of the 2026-2026 season. The move showed her what a higher level of volleyball meant. “The scenario I found when I got there was mind-changing,” she recalled. “It was really challenging and demanding at the start. Guidetti 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.” That captaincy detail reveals how Gabi grew. Guidetti saw something in her that she did not yet see. Instead of hiding behind her surprise, she accepted the challenge. She learned that maturity does not come simply from moving to a new club. It comes from facing stronger players, admitting weakness, and leading a team that was not built around her. The conversation also turned to Brazil’s national team. “To play for the national team is really a childhood dream,” Gabi 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.” There is a larger lesson in Gabi’s story. Success is not only about talent or statistics; it is also about being mentally ready to accept risk. Gabi could have chosen an easier path, but she chose a demanding environment. She left Brazil only when she understood why she needed to go. That decision made all the difference. Bruno and Gabi’s conversation ended not with a conclusion, but with a question: if she had never felt fear before leaving Brazil, would she have become the best version of herself? Her career after joining VakifBank is already an answer.