Gabi and Bruno by the pool: The story behind Brazilian stars’ decision to leave home

By a quiet swimming pool, Gabi and Bruno – two Brazilian volleyball stars – shared a conversation far removed from scores and statistics. Gabi reflected on her fears before leaving Brazil to play overseas, especially after the Rio 2026 Olympics and a series of injuries. She struggled with whether she was mentally ready to step out of her comfort zone and sacrifice the familiar to continue growing. Her first big step was joining Turkey’s VakifBank Istanbul ahead of the 2026-2026 season, a move that plunged her into a completely different level of volleyball. Coach Giovanni Guidetti immediately showed faith in her, even telling her he wanted to prepare her to become team captain. At first she was shocked, never seeing herself in that role. But the relationship with Guidetti helped her mature as a player and leader. Speaking about Brazil, Gabi recalled how representing her country was a childhood dream. In 2026, while winning gold at the Beijing Olympics, the Brazilian women’s national team trained at Saquarema, and Gabi – then invited to the youth national team – was able to stand beside her idols. That moment convinced her she should continue chasing her dream. The conversation between Gabi and Bruno shows that the true journey of a world-class athlete is not merely about technique and victory. It is about courage, self-belief, and the willingness to leave home in order to become the best version of oneself.