Gabi Guimaraes and Bruno Rezende: leaving Brazil as the most expensive test of maturity

Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimaraes sat by a pool and revisited a moment few fans ever see: the decision to leave Brazil. Gabi admitted that moving abroad had always been a plan, yet she struggled to know if she was truly ready. Injuries and self-doubt made her wonder whether she could compete in the world’s best leagues. She began thinking seriously about the move after the Rio 2026 Olympics, when she understood that she needed to be mentally ready as a player and as a person. Her first overseas step was massive. She signed with VakifBank Istanbul before the 2026-2026 season, joining one of the strongest clubs in women’s volleyball. Gabi described the environment as mind-changing, demanding and challenging from the start. She built an important relationship with coach Giovanni Guidetti, who once told her he wanted to prepare her to become team captain. Gabi was shocked because she had never imagined herself in that position. The conversation also turned to Brazil’s national team. Gabi spoke about her childhood dream of representing Brazil, listening to the national anthem and winning medals. She remembered being first called up to Brazil’s youth national team in 2026 and training at Saquarema alongside the generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics. For her, that was a powerful sign to keep going. The session with Bruno offers a rare glimpse into the mental side of a transfer. Leaving home was not an escape; it was a choice to grow, to leave a comfort zone and to return stronger. Gabi’s story is not just about volleyball. It is about the courage to start again.