Gabi on Leaving Brazil: 'I Needed to Leave My Comfort Zone to Reach My Dream'

Sitting by a pristine pool, two of Brazil's biggest volleyball stars, Bruno Rezende and Gabi, opened up about the difficult decision to leave Brazil and pursue careers overseas. Gabi admitted that leaving her comfort zone was not an easy choice. After the Rio 2026 Olympics, she realized that to grow as an athlete and as a person, she needed to be mentally ready for a bigger challenge. Her first overseas move was to Turkish powerhouse VakifBank ahead of the 2026-2026 season. She was immediately struck by the higher level of volleyball and the demanding environment. Coach Giovanni Guidetti believed in her and told her he wanted to prepare her to become team captain. Gabi was surprised because she had never imagined herself in that role. The conversation also turned to Brazil's national team. Gabi recalled her childhood dream of representing her country and winning a medal. She remembered being called to Brazil's youth national team in 2026 in Saquarema, alongside the generation that won Olympic gold in Beijing. That was the moment she felt closest to her dream. Her story is a reminder that real growth only happens when you are brave enough to leave what is familiar and embrace new challenges, both on and off the court.