He is an
icon in the United States, an idol to a new generation of players and star on
the world stage. And yet, Katia Cilene T. da Silva, better known as Katia, is a
relative unknown in the male-dominated world of Brazilian football.
¡°This World Cup is really important for my career,¡± Katia said. ¡°A lot of
people are going to be there and watching me. I didn¡¯t have a good league
season, and I have been going through a lot of stuff. I need to show all the
people in the whole world that I can play soccer.¡±
Uneasy leader
When Katia leads Brazil into its opener 21 September against Korea Republic
at the FIFA Women¡¯s World Cup USA 2003, it will mark the third consecutive
tournament in which she has played. Despite her experience, Katia said she
doesn¡¯t see herself as the team¡¯s only leader.
¡°I¡¯m not sure that I have a feeling of a lot of responsibility for the other
players,¡± she said. ¡°A lot of players look at me as a model but I am not the
only elder one here. I just want to play and enjoy the World Cup.¡±
Hits the big time
Katia became a certified star last year while playing for the San Jose Cyber
Rays in the WUSA. She led the league in scoring with 15 goals, made the All-Star
team and earned an ¡°Espy¡± award from U.S. sports television giant ESPN.
¡°All I can say is ¡®Oh my gosh¡¯,¡± Katia said. ¡°I was really surprised that I
won the Espy. I couldn¡¯t stand on my feet. I know that I had a good season last
year but I didn¡¯t think I would get anything like that.¡±
The all-sports television network named Katia the Best Female Soccer Player
for 2002. At the awards ceremony in July, Katia rubbed shoulders with the likes
of Venus and Serena Williams, Tiger Woods and Annika S?renstam.
Difficult year
USA 2003 could offer Katia a chance to win the most coveted award there is in
women¡¯s football. It could also make up for an up-and-down season in the WUSA.
Katia had just five goals in 18 matches for San Jose this year. Her season came
to an abrupt end when doctors discovered a tumour near her ovary. She had
surgery 11 August but was ready for Brazil¡¯s training camp just weeks later.
She said her highs in 2002 and lows in 2003 could benefit Brazil at USA 2003.
¡°I think they can learn a lot from me, and I can learn from them,¡± she said.
¡°I just want to have fun but the serious part is important too. I want to show
them how to work and that they can mingle the fun and the hard work.¡±
Katia said her triumphs and struggles, although not well-documented in
Brazil, are known to her Brazilian team mates. She said the team¡¯s younger
players often grill her on how they can follow in her footsteps.
¡°I tell them they have to have discipline and work hard,¡± she said. ¡°Those
are the only things that can bring you someplace. They just want to learn from
you. I have all theses young faces looking at me. I want them all to be
successful in their lives.¡±
Sound advice
Katia also wants be a success in her own life. However, she is not willing to
become a success unless it¡¯s on her own terms. She said no matter what, she
would not change her low-key, fun-loving approach to life and football that has
led her to the WUSA and the pinnacle of success.
¡°It¡¯s the way I am,¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s part of me. If I start thinking ¡®This is
World Cup and oh my gosh I am playing in front of 60,000 people,¡¯ I am not going
to play well. I have to tell myself it is a big tournament, and I have
everything to play for, but I must also have fun. That takes the pressure away
from me.
Katia also said she was looking forward to passing her message of excellence
with enjoyment to her younger team mates. ¡°I think it¡¯s going to be really fun
playing with them,¡± Katia. They ask me all the time, ¡®What should I do when I
get there?¡¯ I tell them they just have to relax and have fun.¡±
