Mônica (footballer, born 1978)

Mônica Angélica de Paula (born 4 April 1978), or simply Mônica, is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a defender. She was a member of the Brazilian National Team that won the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Mônica
Personal information
Full name Mônica Angélica de Paula
Date of birth (1978-04-04) 4 April 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth São Carlos, Brazil
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000 São Paulo
2001–2003 Matonense
2004–2006 Ferroviária
Botucatu
International career
2000–2007 Brazil
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:50, 2 January 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:50, 2 January 2023 (UTC)
Olympic medal record
Representing  Brazil
Olympic Games - Women's Football
Silver medal – second place 2004 Athens Team
Pan American Games - Women's Football
Gold medal – first place 2003 Santo Domingo Team Competition

Born in São Paulo, Mônica only began playing football in 1999. Before, she used to practice basketball — even played with Adrianinha and Kelly of the basketball national team — and volleyball, which she abandoned after a pregnancy. In her pro career, she also played for São Paulo, Matonense and Araraquara.[1][2]

At the training camp for the 2000 Summer Olympics, Mônica fought with teammate Daniela. The confrontation was attributed to premenstrual syndrome.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Mônica de Paula" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Comitê Olímpico do Brasil. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Futebol - Monica". UOL Esporte - Olimpíadas 2004 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  3. ^ Rangel, Sérgio (18 July 2004). "Seleção faz tratamento para driblar TPM" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Folha de S.Paulo. Retrieved 7 January 2023.