Melli (Spanish footballer)

Melli

Personal information
Full name	Juan Alberto Andreu Alvarado
Date of birth	6 June 1984 (1984-06-06) (age 27)
Place of birth	Barbate, Spain
Height	1.84 m (6 ft  1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Gent
Number	6
Youth career
1988–2001	Betis
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2004	Betis B	57	(1)
2002	→ Poli Ejido (loan)	2	(0)
2002–2010	Betis	177	(4)
2010–2011	Tenerife	25	(1)
2011–	Gent	0	(0)
National team
2000–2001	Spain U16	6	(1)
2001	Spain U17	4	(1)
2002–2003	Spain U19	8	(0)
2003	Spain U20	9	(0)
2003–2006	Spain U21	20	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 August 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Andreu and the second or maternal family name is Alvarado.

Juan Alberto Andreu Alvarado, aka Melli (born 6 June 1984 in Barbate, Cádiz, Andalusia), is a Spanish footballer who plays for K.A.A. Gent in the Belgian first division.

A versatile defender, he can appear as either a right or a central defender, and spent most of his professional career at Betis, for which he appeared in more than 200 official games, winning one Copa del Rey.

Club career

Melli joined Real Betis as a 14-year old, and made his way up through the ranks until he reached the reserve team in 2001. He served a small loan stint at Andalusia neighbours Polideportivo Ejido in the late stages of 2001–02, with two appearances in the second division.

Melli scored his first career 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 season. In the latter, he scored an essential goal away to AZ Alkmaar which allowed Betis to progress into the next round^[1]- this came just one week after having scored two unfortunate own goals against FC Barcelona in a league match at the Camp Nou.^[2]

Melli won his first medal for Betis during the 2005 Spanish Cup final 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 matches, and suffering relegation in 2008–09.

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

International career

Melli represented the Spanish national team at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.

Honours

Betis

• Spanish Cup: 2004–05

Spain U16

• UEFA U-16 Championship: 2001

Spain U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship: 2002

Spain U20

• FIFA U-20 World Cup: Runner-up 2003

Personal

Melli's nickname stems from the Spanish word mellizo (twin), as he himself is a twin. His brother Víctor is also a footballer, also being nicknamed Melli. A goalkeeper, he never played in higher than the fourth division during his career.^[3]

References

1. ^ Melli swoops to revive Betis
2. ^ Blistering Barça back in the groove
3. ^ Mellizos en el fútbol mundial (III) (Twins in world football (III)) (Spanish)

External links

• BDFutbol profile
• Futbolme profile (Spanish)
• Melli – FIFA competition record
• Transfermarkt profile

Persondata
Name	Melli
Alternative names	Andreu, Juan Alberto
Short description	Footballer
Date of birth	6 June 1984
Place of birth	Barbate, Spain
Date of death
Place of death