Gabi Guimarães: 'I never saw myself as captain' – Poolside talk about leaving Brazil

Sitting by a pristine pool, Brazilian volleyball stars Gabi Guimarães and Bruno Rezende had an open conversation about the challenging processes they faced when deciding to leave Brazil to play overseas so they could advance their careers. Gabi, one of the world's best outside hitters, shared that she always had a plan to play overseas, but figuring out whether she was ready was not easy. "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 recalled that her first step overseas was a big one, as she signed with Turkish giants VakifBank ahead of the 2026-2026 season and joined a team with massive ambitions as one of their main stars. "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 built a great relationship with coach Guidetti, who shocked her by saying he wanted to prepare her to be the team captain. "I have never seen myself in that position." Wearing Brazil's jersey was naturally another topic of the conversation. Gabi revisited her first impressions when called up to Brazil's youth national teams and the influence of the generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics on her career. "To play for the national team is really a childhood dream," she said, recalling how being in Saquarema alongside that incredible generation was a strong sign that she should continue. Gabi's story is not just a narrative of success, but a deep reminder of the cost of persistence. Behind the titles and glory are countless sleepless nights, self-doubt, and courageous decisions. Leaving Brazil was not merely a geographic change, but a shift in mindset: from a young girl who only knew how to dream to a leader who dared to stand in the storm. Her growth reflects a larger trend in world women's volleyball: more and more athletes from traditional volleyball countries are accepting to leave familiar environments to challenge themselves in tougher European leagues. For young girls nurturing dreams of playing internationally, Gabi's story proves that no path is paved with roses, but overcoming fear is a prerequisite to reaching the top. As the conversation drew to a close, Gabi's eyes sparkled with pride, but also had a trace of someone who has traveled many roads. She didn't just talk about victories or powerful spikes. She spoke about fragility, loneliness, and how she found strength in her weakest moments. For Gabi, sports is not just competition, but a place where she learns to become the best version of herself, both on and off the court. Gabi's story also raises a big question for the sports world: how to create a system strong enough to retain young talents while equipping them with the mental toolkit needed when facing ruthless competitive environments abroad? The departure of stars like Gabi is not a loss but an opportunity for volleyball nations to learn, to understand that to build a solid generation, they need to invest not only in technique but also in psychology. Following Gabi Guimarães's journey, one realizes that behind each contract is a farewell stamped by numbers. The signature on the VakifBank contract is not just a salary or a new club; it is a symbol of courage, of quiet sacrifice, and of firm belief in the path she chose. Looking back, Gabi can be proud that she didn't step back from challenges. She went to Turkey not just to play volleyball; she went to find herself, to prove that a girl from Brazil can stand tall at the top of the world, not only because of talent, but because of a persistent heart. The conversation between Gabi and Bruno had no cheering crowds, no balloons, no dramatic celebrations. It was simply a quiet afternoon by the pool, where two brave individuals looked back at their journeys to inspire each other. And perhaps that is the most valuable moment in sports: not glory, but understanding. As Gabi confided, "I don't remember the final score, I remember those who walked with me on the road to making dreams come true."