Gabi Guimarães opens up on leaving Brazil: “I wasn’t sure I was good enough for the world’s best leagues”

Sitting by a pristine pool, in a space so quiet that only the sound of water could be heard, outside hitter Gabi Guimarães and Bruno revisited one of the hardest decisions of her career: leaving Brazil to play abroad. Gabi did not hide the doubts that once surrounded her. She had a plan to play internationally, but the biggest question was not about signing a contract; it was about whether she was truly ready physically and mentally. Gabi recalled her feelings after the Rio 2026 Olympics. At that time, she was still earning her place with the Brazilian national team and wondering if she had what it took to compete in the toughest leagues in the world. She had dealt with injuries and wandered through unanswered questions. Gradually, she realized that to take the next step, she had to leave her comfort zone. It was not an impulsive decision. It was a call born from maturity, forcing her to see herself not only as an athlete, but as a person ready to face major changes. Gabi’s first step abroad was a huge leap. She chose VakifBank, one of the world’s leading women’s volleyball clubs in Turkey, ahead of the 2026-2026 season. Wearing the jersey of a club with massive ambitions and being placed among its main stars was no small challenge. When she arrived in Istanbul, Gabi said she found a completely different environment, not only in training intensity but also in coaching methods and how the whole team operated like a winning machine. That scene changed the way she viewed elite volleyball. At VakifBank, Gabi met head coach Giovanni Guidetti. From the very first days, the Italian strategist had a special impact on her mindset. Guidetti not only helped her improve her skills, but also gradually gave her belief in a leadership role. Gabi admitted she was shocked when he told her he wanted to prepare her to become team captain. Before that, she had never pictured herself in that position. This detail shows that going abroad was not simply about earning a bigger salary; it opened a space for growth she had not touched in Brazil. From the captaincy story, Gabi returned to the yellow and green jersey of Brazil. She said playing for the national team was a childhood dream. She played many sports before settling on volleyball, and she always hoped to represent her country, hear the national anthem and win a medal. The first time she was called up to Brazil’s youth national team in 2026, she went to Saquarema and had the chance to meet the talented generation that had just won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics. That moment felt like a clear sign that she was on the right path, and she had never been so close to her dream. The Brazilian women’s generation that won Olympic gold in 2026 became a major source of inspiration in Gabi’s development. She had watched them from afar, admiring them with the eyes of a little girl growing up with volleyball. When she trained alongside them at Saquarema, the line between dream and reality became thin. Gabi understood that to stand among those heroes, she needed to do more than simply love the sport. Gabi’s arrival at VakifBank was also part of a trend of Brazilian hitters seeking new challenges in Europe. For ambitious clubs like VakifBank, every practice can feel like a small final. Pressure, tactical discipline and competition at every position force each foreign player to adapt quickly or be left behind. Gabi chose to face that challenge with full awareness. She did not travel to Turkey with only talent as luggage; she also carried a mindset ready to learn from new people. One of the valuable lessons Gabi learned abroad was that maturity comes from accepting vulnerability. She left Brazil in a state of uncertainty, worried about her body after injuries, asking herself if she was worthy. But at VakifBank, those doubts were gradually replaced by confidence built through every practice, every match and every piece of guidance from Guidetti. There was no miracle, only a relentless process of development and the courage to face herself. The Brazilian outside hitter also expressed deep affection for the national team jersey. She said every time she wore the Brazil jersey, her heart returned to childhood. The image of a little girl who watched sports with bright eyes, dreamed of medals and the national anthem, still lives inside her. Standing on top of the world with the national team is something Gabi never takes for granted. Therefore, when facing the decision to leave Brazil, she had to consider not only her club career but also the long road ahead with the national team. Gabi’s story reveals a truth: for many athletes, the biggest turning point is not a final or a medal, but the moment they stand between safety and ambition. Gabi chose ambition. She accepted trading familiarity for experiences that could help her grow, both professionally and mentally. In her conversation with Bruno, she stressed that sometimes the shortest way to reach a dream is to dare to move away from what is closest. The decision to join VakifBank not only changed Gabi’s club career, but also reshaped how she saw herself with the national team. In an environment demanding perfection every day, she learned to turn pressure into motivation. She also learned that a captain is not necessarily the one who speaks the most, but the one who takes responsibility when the team faces difficulties. That is a lesson she carried throughout her journey. Looking back, Gabi does not regret the uncertain early days in Turkey. She believes that the toughness of the league, the strong opponents and even the period of adapting to a new life made her stronger. She mentioned the image of a young girl in Brazil dreaming of great arenas to remind herself that every pain in the past is part of the picture of success. During the conversation, Bruno listened more than he spoke. Perhaps he understood that Gabi’s story is not about her trophy list, but about the quiet steps she took to reach world-class level. She emphasized leaving her comfort zone, but without exaggeration. For Gabi, that was a career-defining decision. At the end of the conversation, Gabi said that Brazilian volleyball and world volleyball are more connected than ever. Young athletes today have more opportunities, but they also face more temptations and pressure. She hopes future generations understand that success does not come from ease, but from daring to step beyond the limits we set for ourselves. That was the biggest message from her story by the pool that day.