Leaving Brazil, stepping out of the comfort zone: Gabi opens up about her journey to the top of volleyball

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno and Gabi had an open conversation about their journeys of leaving Brazil to play overseas. For the two world-class Brazilian volleyball players, that decision was never easy. Gabi revealed that she had harbored plans to play abroad for a long time, but the line between ready and not ready was always fragile. Injuries made her question herself: Could she play in the best leagues in the world? Could she adapt to a new environment, new culture and new pressure? Her story began to take shape after the Rio 2026 Olympics. At the time, she was still fighting for her spot in the Brazilian national team. Gabi understood that if she wanted to go further, she had to be ready not only physically, but mentally. She had to leave her comfort zone and make sacrifices to take the next step in her career. Gabi's first step overseas was a huge leap. Before the 2026-2026 season, she signed with VakifBank, one of the strongest teams in the world at that time. She arrived in Turkey not as a backup, but as one of the main stars of a highly ambitious team. "The scenario I found when I got there was mind-changing," Gabi recalled. "From the start, I realized I was getting into a whole other level of volleyball." The first days were not easy. Training intensity, tactical demands and expectations from the coaching staff pushed Gabi to work extremely hard. But within that challenge, she found a special mentor - head coach Giovanni Guidetti. "I built a great relationship with Guidetti. He was incredibly important to me," Gabi said. "One of the first things he told me was that he wanted to prepare me to be the team captain. I was shocked because I had never seen myself in that position." Guidetti's faith helped Gabi see herself differently. She was not just an outside hitter who could score points; she could also become a spiritual leader and a connector of teammates on the court. From a shy young woman leaving Brazil, Gabi gradually grew and established her role at VakifBank. Club success never made Gabi forget her biggest childhood dream: wearing the national team jersey. "To play for the national team is really a childhood dream," Gabi shared. "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." Before dedicating herself to volleyball, Gabi tried many other sports. But the turning point came in 2026, when she was called up to Brazil's youth national team and went to Saquarema - where the golden generation that had just won the Beijing Olympics was training. "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." That memory remains a huge motivation for Gabi to overcome difficult moments. She realized that the path to the top is never a straight line. There were times when injuries made her think she might stop, and times when the pressure to earn a starting spot made her doubt herself. But the image of Saquarema from that year was always there, reminding her that dreams are worth sacrificing for. Gabi's story is not only her own. It is the shared story of many Brazilian athletes competing in top European volleyball leagues. They leave their homeland, their families, friends and familiar surroundings to pursue a better version of themselves. Bruno, as a friend and colleague, understands that feeling better than anyone. He, too, spent many years playing overseas before becoming one of the greatest setters in Brazilian volleyball history. The conversation between Bruno and Gabi carries the depth of understanding between people who have faced the same fear, hesitation and desire to grow. "I had a plan to play overseas, but it was not easy to know if I was ready or not," Gabi admitted. That statement shows how fragile the line between dream and reality is. An athlete can train and compete at the highest level, but when facing the question "leave or stay", many choose safety. Gabi chose the opposite. Injuries have always been a nightmare for athletes. They cause not only physical pain but also deep mental wounds. In the past, Gabi and many Brazilian players used to hide injuries to keep their place. Today, athletes are more conscious of listening to their bodies. "I had experienced some injuries and had questions if I had what it took to play in the world's best leagues," Gabi said. Admitting her fear did not make her weak. On the contrary, it made her more serious about recovery and preparation. She did not want to go to VakifBank just to mark the presence of a Brazilian player in Turkey. She wanted to win, to learn and to become the best version of herself. Leaving Brazil also meant accepting sacrifice. She was far from family and loved ones. She became independent in a new culture and language, where the comforts of childhood were no longer around. But that distance helped her grow faster, both in life and in career. At VakifBank, Gabi learned to embrace pressure. She was no longer a promising young talent but one of the key players expected to shine. Every match, every practice and every tactical decision placed her at the center of attention. Guidetti taught her how to turn pressure into motivation. "Guidetti was incredibly important to me," Gabi affirmed. The relationship between Gabi and Guidetti was not simply coach-player. It was a connection built on trust. Guidetti saw leadership qualities in Gabi that she had never noticed herself. His plan to prepare her as captain was not just recognition of her talent, but an affirmation that she could handle greater responsibility. Looking back on her journey, Gabi understands that the difficult moments at VakifBank were the bricks that built her later success. She had the chance to play alongside excellent athletes, face top clubs and experience a professional atmosphere at the highest level. From her personal experience, Gabi believes young Brazilian players need to prepare mentally before going abroad. They need not only skills but also patience, adaptability and a strong mindset. In Europe, the calendar is packed, competition is intense and there is no room for complacency. Gabi's story also reflects a big trend in world volleyball: countries like Brazil are seeing more and more talents leave their domestic leagues to seek better development environments. In some ways, that is a positive sign for the sport. Sitting by the pool years later, Gabi and Bruno are not merely looking back in nostalgia. They look back to understand what they went through and, more importantly, to pass on lessons to the next generation. Gabi wants to tell young athletes: Do not be afraid to leave your comfort zone. The initial struggles may make you doubt yourself, but if you have a clear plan, a strong spirit and thorough preparation, you can turn your dream into reality. Her story is the clearest proof. From a young athlete worried about injuries and fitting in, Gabi has become one of the brightest stars in world women's volleyball. She did not just go to VakifBank to play; she went to learn, to lead and to win. On a broader level, the journeys of Gabi and Bruno remind us that greatness does not come from familiar streets, beloved stands or beautiful statistics. Greatness comes from the courage to walk a path not yet taken, from accepting the loss of certainty to pursue what is possible. Brazilian volleyball, with its rich history and proud tradition, always has a way of producing extraordinary people. But to become extraordinary, one must learn to leave the ordinary behind. Gabi has done that, and her story will continue to be told as a symbol of the will to conquer.