Gabi: From Leaving Brazil to Turkey and the Dream of Wearing the National Jersey

In a conversation by a pristine pool, two Brazilian volleyball stars, Bruno and Gabi, shared heartfelt insights about their journey leaving their homeland to play overseas. The story is not just about contracts or trophies, but about overcoming self-doubt to reach a dream. Gabi, full name Gabriela Braga Guimarães, one of the best outside hitters of her generation, recalled the moment she decided to leave Brazil. "I had a plan of playing overseas, but it wasn't easy to figure out if I was ready for it or not," Gabi shared. "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's first overseas move was a big one. She signed with Turkish giants VakifBank, one of the strongest teams on the planet, ahead of the 2026-2026 season, joining a team with massive ambitions as one of their main stars. "The scenario I found when I got there was mind-changing," she recalled. "It showed me right from the start that I was getting into a whole other level of volleyball. 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." Wearing Brazil's jersey was naturally another topic of the conversation, leading Gabi to revisit her first impressions when called up to play for Brazil's youth national teams and the influence the generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics had on her career. "To play for the national team is really a childhood dream," she said. "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. 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 resonates with the harsh realities of elite sports. To reach world-class level, Brazilian athletes often face a choice: stay in their comfort zone or take the risk of going abroad. This risk has forged global stars and brought valuable experience back to Brazilian volleyball. For Gabi, the journey to Turkey was not just a career turning point but a lesson in personal growth. The pressure from a new environment, the expectations of an ambitious team, and her own standards have shaped her into a true leader. What coach Guidetti saw in her from the beginning – leadership qualities – has now been proven. At 62, I have followed Brazilian volleyball for decades. Stories like Gabi's show a truth: no path to glory comes without difficult decisions. She bravely left her homeland, faced doubts and challenges, and today she is not only a star at VakifBank but also the hope of Brazilian women's volleyball for the next Olympic cycles. The conversation between Bruno and Gabi by the pool was more than a reflection. It was a message to the next generation: to touch your dream, sometimes you must dare to leave where you belong. And once you take that leap, believe in yourself, because truly talented people will always find a way to shine. Gabi's career is still ongoing, but her story has already inspired many young athletes in Brazil and worldwide. The dream of wearing the national jersey, winning a medal, and hearing the anthem – once distant – is now a reality. With what she continues to show, Gabi will surely write more glorious pages for Brazilian volleyball for years to come.