Gabi Guimaraes, Her Decision to Leave Brazil and What Vietnamese Women’s Volleyball Can Learn

Volleyball fans often remember the name Gabi Guimaraes wearing the colors of VakifBank. But I want to mention her at a moment before the arena lights come on. In a poolside conversation with Bruno Rezende, Gabi talked about the feeling of uncertainty when she considered playing abroad. She said she had gone through injuries, doubted her ability, and wondered whether she was good enough to play in the best league in the world. That image feels strangely familiar to me, because I have seen it in many Vietnamese girls who have talent but lack an emotional anchor. In modern women’s volleyball, leaving home to play in another league is no longer rare. Gabi’s story is special because she speaks about the void before making the decision. After the Rio 2026 Olympics, when she was already part of the Brazilian national team, she did not immediately choose a big club. She took time to understand what she needed, not only on the court but in life. She knew the move required the mindset of a mature person, willing to make sacrifices. I believe this is the most important part of a transfer, but it is also the part least often told. Sports media often focuses on transfer fees, contract duration, and total values. I look for something else. I want to know how an athlete spent her nights when she was not sure she was good enough. Gabi gave me that answer. She said she started seriously thinking about going abroad after Rio 2026. At that moment, she was still finding her place in Brazil’s national team. Instead of waiting for recognition, she asked herself what she needed to do to reach a higher level. The notable thing is that Gabi did not see going abroad as running away. She saw it as a step toward maturity. She said she needed to be ready not only as an athlete, but also as a person. This reveals a rare thoughtfulness among young players. Many talents sign big contracts too quickly without being mentally ready, then disappear because of pressure. Gabi understood that leaving her comfort zone only makes sense when she is strong inside. In 2026, Gabi arrived in Turkey to join VakifBank. The environment changed the way she thought. From the beginning, she realized she was facing a completely different level of volleyball. The most impressive part was not fitness or technique, but her approach to challenges. She did not blame others or retreat. She found in coach Giovanni Guidetti a teacher and a companion. The relationship between Gabi and Guidetti is one of the brightest parts of this story. Guidetti once told her that he wanted to prepare her to become VakifBank’s captain. Gabi was surprised because she had never seen herself in that position. There are athletes who perform wonderfully but do not believe in their own influence. They need someone to place the captain’s armband in their hands so they understand they are worthy. Gabi also recalled the first time she was called to Brazil’s youth national team in 2026. She was in Saquarema with the golden generation that had just won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing. For a young girl dreaming of the yellow and green jersey, that moment was enough to light a flame. She said the joy of wearing the national jersey was always her childhood dream. She loved watching and playing sports, dreaming of representing Brazil, winning a medal, and hearing the national anthem. When she stood in Saquarema with that Olympic generation, it was a strong sign for her to continue. For Vietnamese women’s volleyball, Gabi’s story carries a practical message. We already have talented outside hitters like Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen and many others who are ready to step onto the world stage. But the biggest issue is not technique or physique. It is mental preparation and a supporting ecosystem. A player can be very skilled in training, but when she faces a fierce competitive environment abroad, she will fall without guidance and inner belief. Vietnamese girls do not lack desire. They lack a system that turns desire into courage. In Brazil, Gabi had Saquarema, previous generations, and a coach who believed in her. In Vietnam, we need to build those things. It is not only about facilities, but about creating a space where female athletes are encouraged to dream big and prepare fully before going out into the world. I have spent years covering Vietnamese women’s volleyball. I have seen girls sweat on the practice court, heard them talk about their fear of being cut and about sleepless nights before important matches. When I see Gabi today, I do not see an expensive contract or a distant star. I see a girl who was once lost and unsure but wrote her own path with preparation and courage. During this transfer period, rumors will continue to heat up fan forums. But Gabi’s story is not about rumors. It is about how a mature woman chooses to trust her journey. Fans remember trophies, but I remember the moment before the lights came on, when an athlete looked into the dark and asked herself whether she should keep going. Gabi stepped forward. That is why I write this story. I believe that one day not far away, a Vietnamese girl will sit by a pool in a distant country and tell how she left her comfort zone. When that day comes, I hope this article can be a witness to the beginning of a similar journey. Because those who write history often start with a simple question: Am I ready? Gabi’s question is also the question asked by everyone standing at the point of changing their lives.