Renata Costa
A rock-solid defender for Brazil's women's national team, a World Cup finalist who now shapes the next generation as a coach.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Brazilian footballer·Birthday: July 8·Millennials
Biography
Renata Costa, known as Kóki, provided a decade of steel and stability at the heart of the Brazilian women's national team defense. From her debut in 2004, her physical presence and tactical intelligence made her a mainstay during a golden era. She competed in three World Cups and three Olympic tournaments, forming a formidable partnership with other legends of the game. Costa was part of the squad that finished as runners-up at the 2007 World Cup and won two Olympic silver medals. Her club career took her across the globe, from Brazil to Sweden, the United States, and France, where she experienced diverse football cultures. After hanging up her boots, she seamlessly transitioned into coaching, taking on roles with Brazilian clubs and the national youth setup. Her journey from World Cup pitches to the training ground exemplifies a lifelong commitment to advancing women's football.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Renata was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Renata Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Renata's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played for Brazil in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup final, earning a silver medal.
- Won Olympic silver medals with Brazil at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games.
- Had a extensive club career spanning four continents, including stints in Sweden's Damallsvenskan and the American WPS.
Did You Know?
Her nickname 'Kóki' comes from a childhood mispronunciation of 'Renatinha'.
She played collegiate soccer in the United States for the University of Cincinnati.
Costa was an assistant coach for the Brazil women's U-20 national team.
She scored a memorable long-range goal against Norway in the 2007 World Cup.
“A defender's job is to read the game and stop the attack before it starts.”
