From Fear to the Top: Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimarães on Their Hard Decision to Leave Brazil for the World

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimarães shared a conversation about one of the most delicate moments in an athlete's career: leaving Brazil to play overseas. Gabi admitted that she had planned to move abroad for a long time, but struggled with doubts about whether she was ready. Injuries and the fear of competing in the world's best leagues made her question herself. After the Rio 2026 Olympics, while still earning her place with the national team, she realized she had to be mentally ready not only as a player but as a person. She needed to leave her comfort zone and make sacrifices. Gabi's first big step was signing with Turkish giants VakifBank before the 2026-2026 season. The environment immediately showed her that she had entered another level of volleyball. It was challenging and demanding. Head coach Giovanni Guidetti became an important figure in her life. One of the first things he told her was that he wanted to prepare her to be team captain. Gabi admitted she was shocked because she had never seen herself in that role. Wearing Brazil's jersey remained a childhood dream. Gabi recalled her first call-up to Brazil's youth national team in 2026 at Saquarema, where she shared space with the generation that won gold at the Beijing Olympics. That experience was a strong sign that she should continue chasing her dream. For both Gabi and Bruno, leaving Brazil was not just a career step; it was a journey of self-discovery, resilience and leadership. Their story is a reminder that greatness comes from embracing fear and turning it into motivation.