Melli

Betis

Born in Barbate, Province of Cádiz, Melli joined Real Betis as a 14-year-old, and made his way up through the ranks until he reached the reserves in 2001. He spent a short period on loan at Andalusia neighbours Polideportivo Ejido in the late stages of the 2001–02 season, in the Segunda División. Melli scored his first professional goal through a header from a Joaquín corner kick, against CA Osasuna on 18 September 2004 (3–2 away loss). He also appeared in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup during the 2005–06 campaign: in the latter tournament, he scored an essential goal at AZ Alkmaar, which allowed his team to progress to the next round; this came just one week after he put two past his own net against FC Barcelona in a La Liga match at the Camp Nou. Melli won his first medal for Betis in the 2005 final of the Copa del Rey against Osasuna at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, on 11 June 2005, playing the full 90 minutes plus extra time in an eventual 2–1 win. He continued to be a defensive presence in the following seasons for the Verdiblancos, playing an average of 25 league games and suffering relegation in 2008–09.

Later career

In late August 2011, after another relegation, now with CD Tenerife (in the second division) whom he joined in summer 2010 – a second consecutive for the Canary Islands club – Melli moved abroad for the first time and signed a two-year contract for K.A.A. Gent from Belgium, joining compatriot César Arzo. After leaving in…

Melli represented Spain at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels. He made his debut for the latter on 29 April 2003 when he was 18, playing 18 minutes in a 1–0 win over Australia in Lorca, and scored his only goal in another friendly, a 3–1 defeat of Scotland on 2 September 2004. In the run up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, senior team manager Luis Aragonés called up Melli to a get-together, however he was ultimately not part of the squad at the finals and never earned a full cap.

Melli's nickname stemmed from the Spanish word mellizo (twin), as he himself was a twin. His brother Víctor was also a footballer, also being nicknamed Melli. A goalkeeper, he never played in higher than Segunda División B during his career.

Betis

Copa del Rey: 2004–05 Sheriff

Moldovan National Division: 2013–14 Spain U16

UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 2001 Spain U19

UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2002 Spain U20

FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2003