Bia Zaneratto Bio
Beatriz Zaneratto João, widely known as Bia Zaneratto, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward. Born on December 17, 1993, in Araraquara, São Paulo, she currently represents the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League and the Brazil women’s national team. Standing 1.76 m tall, she began her senior career at just 13 years old and has built a reputation as one of Brazil’s most consistent attacking players.
Over the course of her career, Bia Zaneratto has played in Brazil, South Korea, China, and the United States, winning league titles on three continents. She has represented Brazil at four FIFA Women’s World Cups and multiple Olympic Games, and she is recognized for her finishing, vision, and leadership on the field.
Early Life and Background
Beatriz Zaneratto João was born on December 17, 1993, in Araraquara, a city in the interior of São Paulo state. She grew up in a football-loving country and was introduced to the sport at a young age through local youth programs. Her early development took place at Espaço Criança, a youth academy in her home region that helped shape her technical foundation.
Coming from a region with a strong tradition of women’s football, she was exposed to competitive matches earlier than many of her peers. Her talent was recognized quickly, and by the age of 13 she was already training with senior squads, an unusual step that set the tone for the rest of her career.
Path to Professional Soccer
Bia Zaneratto joined Ferroviária in 2007, becoming one of the youngest players ever to debut in the Brazilian women’s top flight. Her time at Ferroviária gave her valuable first-team experience and helped her catch the attention of larger clubs across the country.
In 2010, she moved to Santos, then the reigning Copa Libertadores Femenina champions, where she continued her growth as a forward. Brief spells at Bangu in 2011 and Vitória das Tabocas in 2012 followed, giving her exposure to different tactical environments before she took the most important step of her early career.
Bia Zaneratto Career
Early Career (2007–2012)
Bia Zaneratto’s senior career began at Ferroviária, where she played from 2007 to 2009 and established herself as a promising teenager. Her performances earned her a move to Santos in 2010, where she competed at the top of Brazilian women’s football and gained experience in continental competitions.
After short stints at Bangu and Vitória das Tabocas, she was ready for an international challenge. In February 2013, alongside teammate Thaísinha, she accepted a transfer to South Korean club Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels, beginning the most decorated chapter of her club career.
Hyundai Steel Red Angels Breakthrough (2013–2019)
Bia Zaneratto joined the Hyundai Steel Red Angels in 2013 and quickly became a central figure for the South Korean powerhouse. During her seven-year spell, she helped the club win seven consecutive WK League championships between 2013 and 2019, cementing her status as one of the league’s most reliable scorers.
One of her most memorable moments came in the 2015 championship final, when she scored an equalizing goal in the 123rd minute to force a penalty shootout, which her team ultimately won. Her consistency in front of goal and her composure in high-pressure matches made her a fan favorite in Incheon and raised her profile across global women’s football.
Wuhan Jianghan University and Palmeiras Loans (2020–2021)
In 2020, Bia Zaneratto moved to Chinese side Wuhan Jianghan University, where she scored seven goals in nine matches and helped the team win the 2020 Chinese Women’s Super League. After the suspension of competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was loaned to Palmeiras, making her debut in the Brazilian Women’s Championship with a goal in a 5–0 victory over Cruzeiro.
During her 2021 loan at Palmeiras, she scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists in the Brasileirão A1, becoming the first player in the history of the Brazilian Women’s Championship to be named Player of the Month. She swept the major Brazilian individual awards that year, including the Bola de Prata, the Prêmio Brasileirão top scorer and best forward honors, and the Bola de Ouro, finishing the season among the top eleven South American players according to the IFFHS.
Palmeiras Era (2022–2024)
After a fan-driven campaign using the hashtag #VoltaZaneratto, Bia Zaneratto signed a one-season contract with Palmeiras in late December 2021. The club described her signing as a Christmas gift to supporters, and she quickly justified the excitement by helping Palmeiras win the 2022 São Paulo Women’s State Championship and the 2022 Copa Libertadores Femenina.
By the start of the 2023 Copa Libertadores Femenina, she had become Palmeiras’ attacking leader, scoring one goal and providing two assists in a 5–0 win over Barcelona de Guayaquil, a performance that also brought up her 50th goal for the club.
Kansas City Current Era (2024–Present)
The Kansas City Current signed Bia Zaneratto on January 22, 2024, on a one-year contract with a one-year option. She opened her NWSL account in the season opener on March 16, scoring in a 5–4 win over the Portland Thorns, and added a brace in a 5–2 victory over Bay FC on April 20. Her strong start earned her the NWSL Player of the Month award for March and April 2024, with four goals and three assists in that span.
On November 10, 2025, Zaneratto was named one of five finalists for the NWSL Most Valuable Player award, alongside teammate Temwa Chawinga. Although Chawinga ultimately won the MVP award for a second consecutive season, Zaneratto was recognized with a place on the NWSL Best XI Second Team for her contributions throughout the campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bia Zaneratto is recognized for her intelligent movement off the ball, calm finishing inside the box, and ability to link play between midfield and attack. Her experience in multiple leagues has given her tactical versatility, allowing her to operate as a central forward or as a second striker. She is also valued for her consistency in decisive matches and her leadership in dressing rooms across different countries.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature moments are her 123rd-minute equalizer in the 2015 WK League final, her Olympic debut for Brazil at the 2016 Rio Games where she scored three goals, and her milestone 50th Palmeiras goal during the 2023 Copa Libertadores Femenina. In 2020, she also won the charity Esports tournament Copa GamHer, defeating Spain’s Sheila García 5–1 in the final.
Bia Zaneratto Career Wins
Bia Zaneratto has assembled an impressive trophy collection across Brazil, South Korea, China, and the United States, complemented by major individual honors in South American football.
Palmeiras and NWSL Highlights
With Palmeiras, she won the 2022 São Paulo Women’s State Championship and the 2022 Copa Libertadores Femenina. In the United States, she reached the NWSL Best XI Second Team in 2025 and was named NWSL Player of the Month for March and April 2024 after contributing four goals and three assists during that stretch.
Other Wins and Performances
In South Korea, she won seven consecutive WK League titles with Hyundai Steel Red Angels between 2013 and 2019. In China, she helped Wuhan Jianghan University win the 2020 Chinese Women’s Super League. In 2021, she swept Brazil’s major individual honors, including the Bola de Prata, the Prêmio Brasileirão awards for top scorer, best forward and best player, and the Bola de Ouro, finishing the year among the IFFHS top eleven South American players.
Bia Zaneratto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Bia Zaneratto’s immediate family is limited, and details about her parents and upbringing outside of football are not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Bia Zaneratto has kept her personal life largely private, and there is no verified public information regarding a spouse or children. Her public identity remains centered on her professional career and her contributions to Brazilian and club football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Bia Zaneratto’s second full year with the Kansas City Current in the NWSL. Building on her strong debut, she continued to serve as a primary attacking option for the club, contributing goals and assists throughout the regular season and helping Kansas City remain one of the league’s most competitive teams.
Her performances were recognized across the league, as she was named one of five finalists for the 2025 NWSL Most Valuable Player award. Although teammate Temwa Chawinga ultimately took home the MVP honor, Zaneratto’s selection underscored her importance to the Current’s attack and her standing among the league’s elite players.
She was also named to the NWSL Best XI Second Team, reflecting another consistent campaign. With a confirmed return to Palmeiras announced for 2026, Zaneratto closed her NWSL chapter having established herself as one of the most impactful Brazilian forwards to play in the league.