A former track and field star who finished as high as fifth in the heptathlon at the South American championships, Katia is a veteran of three World Cups and two Olympic games.

She began her international career as a key member of the Brazilian team in the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden, then played all five of her country's matches in the Atlanta Olympics.

Her outstanding play and two goals at the 1999 Women's World Cup drew rave reviews and in 2000 she finished fourth in scoring at the Sydney Olympics.

In 1997 she scored 34 goals as the newly formed São Paulo FC won the Campeonato Paulista de Futebol Feminino.

[7] Kátia retired from the national team after the 2007 Pan American Games in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro, where Brazil won the gold.