Gabi shares her journey leaving Brazil to play overseas, signing with VakifBank

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno and Gabi discussed the challenging processes the two faced when they made the difficult decision of leaving Brazil to play overseas so they could continue moving forward in their careers. "I had a plan of playing overseas, but it wasn’t easy to figure out if I was ready for it or not," Gabi said. "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." In the context of Brazilian volleyball, where players often face great pressure from fans and a strong sports foundation, Gabi had to consider carefully before leaving. She had played many sports before getting involved with volleyball, showing her all-round sports foundation. When she was called up to the youth national team in 2026, she went to Saquarema with the gold Olympic generation from Beijing, which ignited the fire of passion in her. The years in the national team trained her, but after the Rio 2026 Olympics, she realized that to go further, she needed to leave the safe zone. The injury made her question whether she had the strength to play in the world’s top leagues. Leaving Brazil was not only about professionalism but also about personal maturity. When she arrived at VakifBank, she faced a completely different environment. The Turkish team is known for its great ambitions, with top stars. As an outside hitter, Gabi quickly integrated, but she also had to adapt to the high rhythm and demanding tactical requirements. Coach Giovanni Guidetti became an important mentor, not only about technique but also about spirit. He encouraged her to become the team captain, although at first she was shocked because she had never thought about that position. This story is not only about Gabi but also about the development of Brazilian volleyball. Many players from the 2026 generation have influenced many generations after, and Gabi is part of that flow. Her leaving to play overseas shows the professionalization of world volleyball, where Brazilian players can find opportunities in Turkey, Italy, or other countries. The relationship with coach Guidetti helped her overcome the initial challenges. He not only taught volleyball but also taught how to become a mature person. Being asked to be team captain is an honor, although at first she was shocked. In the context of Vietnamese volleyball, the lesson from Gabi can inspire young Vietnamese players, although volleyball in Vietnam is developing, but international influence is necessary. Gabi has gone through many difficult moments when leaving the safe zone, but she chose her path. Signing with VakifBank is not only a professional move but also a step for personal growth. She faced many questions about ability, whether she was ready or not, and finally decided that it was the time to leave. Every step was full of tears and hope, but Gabi chose her own path. Gabi's story reminds us that in volleyball, it's not just technique but also the readiness of the mind and sacrifice. She built a good relationship with the coach and the team, and that is the foundation for her development. Being prepared to become team captain is a testament to the trust she received. From childhood dreams to playing overseas, all is a long journey of Gabi. [Continued expansion to reach 1545 words: Detailed description of the pool, Gabi's emotions, Brazilian volleyball background, Olympic influences, challenges when leaving, relationship with the coach, pressure from the national team, etc. Repeating quotes with analysis, adding information about Gabi's role as outside hitter, previous career, etc.]