Bruno and Gabi by the pool: Leaving Brazil was the way to reach a dream

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno and Gabi did not talk about decisive plays or major trophies. They revisited the toughest period of their careers, when both had to make a difficult choice: leaving Brazil to play overseas. For Gabi, it was not simply a contract, but a test of confidence and desire to compete at the highest level. Gabi admitted she had long planned to play abroad, but it was hard to know if she was ready. Recurring injuries made her doubt whether she could compete in the world's best leagues. She started thinking about it after the Rio 2026 Olympics, while still earning her place with the Brazilian national team. “I understood that I needed to be mentally ready, not only as a player, but as a person,” Gabi said. The moment she realized that changed her view of the road ahead. Her first step abroad was a big jump. She signed with VakifBank, one of the strongest teams on the planet, ahead of the 2026-2026 season. The Turkish club was known for its massive ambitions and gave her a starring role from the start. Once she arrived, the new environment shifted her mindset. She realized she was entering a whole other level of volleyball. It was challenging and demanding at first, but it helped her grow enormously. A special mentor appeared in that period: head coach Giovanni Guidetti. Gabi built a great relationship with him, and he played a crucial role in her development. Early on, Guidetti said he wanted to prepare her to be team captain. “I was shocked because I had never seen myself in that position,” she recalled. His words pushed her to rethink her own value and responsibility. She understood that being captain was not just about wearing an armband, but about connecting every person in the locker room. When the conversation turned to Brazil's jersey, Gabi could not hide her emotions. She remembered her first call-up to the youth national team and the moment she stood in Saquarema alongside the generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics. Those people made her believe her dream could be reached. “Playing for the national team is a childhood dream. I always loved watching sports and dreamed of representing Brazil, winning a medal and hearing the national anthem,” she said. Her first youth team call-up in 2026 was the clearest sign. Being close to that golden generation fueled Gabi's ambition. She realized she had never been so close to her dream. From that moment, the path to becoming a pillar of the Brazilian team became clearer. Gabi and Bruno's story reflects a brutal truth of high-level sport: talent is not enough. Players must be brave enough to leave their comfort zone and find a better version of themselves. For Gabi, moving to Turkey was not an escape, but a way to respect her dream of playing at the highest level. Some fans worry that Brazilian stars leaving weakens the domestic league. But looking at Gabi's journey, the move brings long-term value. When she returns to the national team, she carries international experience, composure from pressure at VakifBank and fresh ideas from top coaches. Notably, Gabi never considered herself a born leader. It was Guidetti who saw leadership potential she could not see. This shows that a player's growth comes not only from individual effort, but also from mentors who unlock hidden strengths. Asked for advice to young players considering a move abroad, Gabi stressed the mental side. She believes only a player with strong mentality can overcome culture shock, language barriers and the demands of a new environment. Technique can be trained, but mindset is the foundation. The poolside conversation ended on an optimistic note. Gabi does not see leaving Brazil as a loss, but as a necessary journey to return stronger. She still keeps in her heart the image of Saquarema, the Olympic veterans and the yellow-and-green jersey of the national team. For anyone following women's volleyball, Gabi's story is clear proof of growth. She began as a young woman doubting herself, then became captain of one of the strongest clubs in the world. The road was not smooth, but every step was guided by belief in a dream. As the pool water remained still, the two understood that every sacrifice was worth it while the dream kept burning.