Gabi: From Olympic Dream to Captaincy at VakifBank - Lessons for Vietnamese Women's Volleyball

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno and Gabi discussed the challenging processes they faced when deciding to leave Brazil for overseas volleyball to advance their careers. "I had a plan to play overseas, but it wasn’t easy to figure out if I was ready," Gabi said. "I had experienced injuries and questioned if I had what it took for the world’s best leagues. I started thinking after Rio 2026 Olympics, when still earning space with the national team, realizing I needed mental readiness as a player and as a person, and that I might need to leave my comfort zone and make sacrifices." Gabi recalls her first overseas step was signing with Turkish giants VakifBank ahead of the 2026-2026 season, one of the strongest teams. "The scenario there was mind-changing, showing I entered another level of volleyball," she reflected. "It was challenging. I built a great relationship with coach Guidetti, who prepared me to be team captain, shocking me as I never saw myself in that position." Discussing Brazil’s jersey, she revisited her 2026 youth national team call-up in Saquarema, influenced by the Beijing 2026 Olympic gold generation. "Playing for the national team is a childhood dream," she said. "It brings me back to youth watching and playing sports, dreaming of representing Brazil, winning a medal, and hearing the national anthem. Playing many sports before volleyball, the 2026 call-up with that generation was a strong sign to continue." In the Vietnamese sports context, this story inspires young players. Data shows increasing overseas moves, but gaps remain. Gabi’s journey highlights sacrifices for growth. Contrarian view: Overseas moves may reduce national team impact due to injuries and dense schedules. Takeaway: It’s time for Vietnamese women’s volleyball to embrace similar sacrifices for true progress.