Gabi and Bruno: Steps Away from Home – From National Team Dreams to VakifBank

By a pristine pool, Bruno and Gabi discussed the challenging journeys they faced when making the difficult decision to leave Brazil to play overseas so they could continue progressing in their careers. Gabi opened up about her initial doubts, injuries, and the mental readiness required to leave her comfort zone. She recalled the Rio 2026 Olympics as a turning point, and how her first step abroad was signing with Turkish giants VakifBank for the 2026-2026 season. Under coach Giovanni Guidetti, she was shocked but honored to be prepared for the captaincy. Wearing Brazil's jersey brought back memories of her youth national team call-up in 2026, when she was in Saquarema with the generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics. That experience solidified her dream. Gabi's story highlights the sacrifice and growth behind international careers, and her hope to inspire the next generation of Brazilian volleyball players.