Gabi and Bruno by the Pool: A Conversation About Sacrifices to Reach the World Stage

By a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimarães, two of Brazil's volleyball stars, had an open conversation about the difficulties they faced in deciding to leave Brazil to play abroad in order to continue advancing their careers. Gabi shared that she had long planned to play internationally, but figuring out whether she was ready or not was not easy. She said: “I had a plan of playing overseas, but it wasn't easy to figure out if I was ready for it or not. 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 recalls that her first step overseas was a big one, as she decided to sign with Turkish giants VakifBank, one of the strongest teams on the planet, 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,” the outside hitter reflected. “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, and the theme led 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 and 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,” she said. “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 is not just a story of an athlete changing clubs. It reflects a larger trend in modern volleyball, where Brazilian athletes increasingly seek challenges abroad to grow. From established names in the national league, they have become key figures in top European leagues. Deciding to leave Brazil was never easy. Gabi had to face doubts, injuries and pressure from within. But she overcame them all. Her resilience and progressive mindset helped her rise to the top of the world, while inspiring the younger generation. Under Guidetti's guidance, Gabi not only became an excellent spiker, but also a true leader, someone who always knew how to inspire her teammates. The trust from the Italian strategist helped her discover hidden capabilities she never knew she had. Earning a spot in VakifBank's lineup was not easy, as the club boasted many world-class stars, but Gabi quickly proved her worth. She became a pillar in the team's gameplay, contributing greatly to the prestigious titles VakifBank achieved. Gabi's story also reminds us of the harsh realities of high-level sports. To achieve resounding success, one must pay with effort, sacrifice and no small amount of tears. But it is precisely these challenges that forge champions. Gabi and Bruno, sons of Brazilian volleyball, are writing a new page in the history of the sport in their homeland. With talent, determination and passion, they deserve admiration and honor. One thing is for sure: Gabi's story is not over yet. She will go even further, conquer new heights and become a shining example for young athletes not only in Brazil, but all over the world.