Felipe Melo

Not to be confused with Filipe Melo.
This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is Melo and the second or paternal family name is Carvalho.
Felipe Melo

Melo playing for Galatasaray in 2014.
Personal information
Full name Felipe Melo de Carvalho
Date of birth (1983-06-26) 26 June 1983
Place of birth Volta Redonda, Brazil
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Internazionale
Number 5
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 Flamengo 24 (3)
2003 Cruzeiro 31 (2)
2004 Grêmio 19 (3)
2005 Mallorca 8 (0)
2005–2007 Racing Santander 49 (6)
2007–2008 Almería 39 (7)
2008–2009 Fiorentina 29 (2)
2009–2013 Juventus 58 (4)
2011–2013 → Galatasaray (loan) 62 (13)
2013–2015 Galatasaray 52 (2)
2015– Internazionale 28 (1)
National team
2009–2010 Brazil 22 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 September 2016.


Felipe Melo de Carvalho (born 26 June 1983) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian club Internazionale.

Melo is a Brazilian international and played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He arrived in Europe in 2005 and has played for top division clubs like Juventus, Fiorentina, Almería, Racing de Santander and Mallorca. He also holds the Spanish nationality since the 2007–08 season, and thus was not consumed by the non-EU registration quota for new signings from abroad in Serie A.[1] As of 2015, he is the most decorated Brazilian player in Turkish domestic competitions, winning seven cups, beating the record of his fellow countryman and ex-Galatasaray goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel.[2]

Club career

Early life

Melo began his career for Flamengo, where he made 69 appearances and scored no goals in his two-season spell with the club. Following impressive performances with Flamengo, Melo transferred to Cruzeiro in the summer of 2003, but would remain for just one season. In his single season with Cruzeiro, Melo managed to make 31 league appearances, scoring two goals. Following yet another impressive season in Brazil, he was sold to Grêmio.

Following his transfer to Grêmio, Melo managed to make an additional 19 appearances and adding three goals to his tally in his native Brazil. He would only remain in Porto Alegre for 2004, because Grêmio was relegated that year and the team was dismantled.

Mallorca

Following several impressive seasons in Brazil, Melo moved to Spain with Mallorca prior to the 2005–06 season. This transfer was short lived, however, as Melo made just eight appearances in six months with the club, before transferring permanently to Racing de Santander.

Racing de Santander

After joining Racing, Melo began to prove his worth again for the club. He would remain in Santander for two seasons, making nearly 50 appearances with five goals for the Spanish club.

Almería

In July 2007, Melo transferred to fellow La Liga club Almería. He was a regular in the clubs' starting XI and would make 34 league appearances with an impressive seven goals. An outstanding season led to the attraction of several European clubs, scouting the defensive midfielder, and in the summer of 2008, Melo transferred to the Italian Serie A to play for Fiorentina.

Fiorentina

After a successful first season at Almería, Melo agreed to transfer to Italian side Fiorentina in a reported €13 million transfer for the 2008–09 season.[3] This was confirmed after Almería's match against Recreativo de Huelva in La Liga.[4] He made his debut in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League against Slavia Prague, and scored his first goal in a Viola shirt against Atalanta in the Serie A. After a very impressive debut season in the Serie A, which included 29 appearances and two goals, the Brazilian transferred to Juventus in Turin.

Juventus

On 30 June 2009, following a lauded performance at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Melo signed a new five-year contract with Fiorentina,[5] with a release clause of €25 million. At this point, Arsenal was reportedly in negotiations to sign the player.[6] Within days, however, Melo was the subject of a bid from Juventus. The two clubs eventually agreed a fee of €25 million in total and Juve's Marco Marchionni joined Fiorentina on 15 July 2009 for a tagged price of €4.5 million.[7][8] Later, Cristiano Zanetti, tagged for €2 million, re-joined Fiorentina.[9] This allowed Juve to pay Fiorentina €18.5 million in three instalments.

The first half of the 2009–10 season was one to forget despite a bright start to his Juve career. He scored his first Juve goal against top-of-the-table rivals Roma in a 3–1 win. In the December Derby d'Italia fixture at home, he was controversially sent off for a supposed elbow at Internazionale's Mario Balotelli. The incident sparked a fiery argument between his teammate Gianluigi Buffon and Inter midfielder Thiago Motta, and both had to be separated by Inter and Juve players. Melo was instrumental in his sides win over Milan at the San Siro in 2010–11 season, and was later voted man of the match.

Galatasaray

On 22 July 2011, Melo joined Galatasaray in Turkey on a season-long loan deal for €1.5 million, with an option to transfer permanently at the end of the season for €13 million.[10][11] He agreed on a contract with a net annual salary of €3.3 million plus a per-appearance bonus of €30,000,[12] replacing departed Lorik Cana as the club'sn new central midfielder. He was attributed to the nickname "Pitbull" by the team supporters because of his passionate playing style, which also helped him become a fans favourite quickly; it is said that he displayed the mutual respect back with his tattoo of the club's mascot, a lion, on his arm.[13] This is not true, however, because in his own statement, he states that this is a coincidence and that he got the tattoo due to the fact that in Brazil, a lion is a symbol for Jesus Christ.[14]

Melo scored his first goal on 18 September 2011 from a 35-metre-long shot against Samsunspor. He scored 12 goals in 36 league matches, and at the end of the season, he was among the champion squad.

Melo had been expected to make a permanent move to Galatasaray, but on 24 July, transfer fee negotiations between the club and Juventus broke down due to the Turkish club requesting a lower fee for the player.[15] On 14 August, the two clubs were able to agree another loan deal sending Melo to Turkey for the 2012–13 season, for €1.75 million, with the agreement including "the option, to be exercised by Galatasaray by 30 April 2013, for the permanent acquisition of the player for a price of €6.5 million".[16] Melo also had a wage cut to €2.9 million with an appearances-based bonus of €25,000.[17]

On 24 November, in a game between Galatasaray and Elazığspor in the Süper Lig, Melo saved a penalty after regular goalkeeper Fernando Muslera had committed a foul and been sent off and Galatasaray had already used all their substitutions.[18]

On 20 July 2013, Melo made a permanent move to Galatasaray on a three-year contract worth €3.1 million plus bonuses, while the transfer fee was reduced to €3.75 million plus bonuses of a maximum €500,000, which the club activated.[19][20][21] He made his 100th appearance for the club on 2 February 2014 in Süper Lig encounter against Bursaspor in a 6–0 home win.[22]

On 13 August 2015, Melo signed a four-year contract extension; during the first season of said contract, the yearly salary remained unchanged at €3.1 million, but is set to be reduced to €2.6 million for next three seasons.

Internazionale

On 31 August 2015, Melo returned to Italy to sign with Internazionale on a €3.7 million deal, plus €500,000 bonuses for each UEFA Champions League group stage qualification of the club, up to the 2017–18 season.[23][24] He officially returned to Serie A play on 23 September 2015 against Hellas Verona, against which he also scored his first goal for Inter.

International career

Melo made his international debut for Brazil on 10 February 2009 against Italy in a friendly match, which Brazil won 2–0. He scored his first goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification over Peru. Brazil won 3–0. At the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Melo scored the opening goal in a 3–0 victory over the United States, in the group stage. Melo started all five games at the competition as Brazil went on to win the trophy.

Melo was named in Brazil's final 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In Brazil's quarter final against the Netherlands in Port Elizabeth, Felipe Melo provided the assist for Robinho's tenth-minute opener, before Melo himself slightly touched a Wesley Sneijder cross, which at first was recorded as an own goal, but later credited to Sneijder. Sneijder then put the Dutch 2–1 ahead, before Melo was then sent off by referee Yuichi Nishimura in the 73rd minute for a violent stamp on Dutch winger Arjen Robben.[25] On Brazil's return home after the World Cup, Melo took the brunt of the criticism of the fans as they threw insults, pushed and shoved towards the players.[26]

Style of play

A quick, strong, tenacious, yet talented midfielder, Melo is known in particular for his hard-working, energetic, physical, and hard-tackling playing style, which has earned him the nicknames Pitbull and Gladiator, while his Inter manager Roberto Mancini has described Melo and his team-mate Gary Medel as warriors.[27][28][29] He is able to play as a central or box-to-box midfielder, but is usually deployed as a defensive midfielder, where his stamina, power, and ball-winning abilities aid him in breaking down opposing plays, while his good all-round skills, first touch, and passing allow him subsequently to distribute the ball to his more offensive-minded team-mates.[28][29][30][31][32] In addition to his defensive attributes, he is also known for his dynamism and ability to make late runs into the area from midfield, which occasionally enables him to provide an additional attacking outlet to his teams.[28] Throughout his career, Melo has stood out for his leadership on the pitch, although he has also equally been criticised for his aggression and tendency to pick up cards.[27][30][33]

Controversies

On 18 June 2013, through Twitter and Facebook, Melo offended Renato Maurício Prado, a pundit of Fox Sports channel. Among another names callings, Melo called Prado "coward", "arsehole" and "the cuckold most famous of sporting journalism".[34][35]

On August 2013, after two months of incident, Prado went to court against Melo, asking reparation for offenses.[36]

On 4 June 2014, Melo was on vacation with his family and friend in Las Vegas. Whilst enjoying dinner with his family and friends, a former football player and his friend attempted to humiliate Melo, who was sitting at nearby table, by a hand-written paper stating "Sampiyon Fenerbahçe – which means Champion Fenerbahçe". Fenerbahçe, the main opponent of Galatasaray, had finished as Turkish Süper Lig champions for the 2013–14 season, which had just concluded. Melo responded to the note by showing the two his middle finger and by kicking one of them. The case was taken to USA police.[37]

Whilst playing for Inter, on 20 December 2015, Melo kicked Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia's neck during the 89th minute of a Serie A match; he was sent off with a straight red card.

Career statistics

Club

As of 26 November 2016.[38][39][40]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Flamengo 2001 31 31
2002 212 212
2003 20 20
Total 263 263
Cruzeiro 2003 312 312
Total 312 312
Grêmio 2004 193 193
Total 193 193
Mallorca 2004–05 70 70
Total 70 70
Racing Santander 2005–06 333 333
2006–07 153 153
Total 486 486
Almería 2007–08 33710——347
Total 34710——347
Fiorentina 2008–09 29210—100402
Total 29210—100402
Juventus 2009–10 29320—90403
2010–11 29120—70381
Total 58440—160784
Galatasaray 2011–12 361200——3612
2012–13 261000090351
2013–14 301811081473
2014–15 201711060342
2015–16 2000000020
Total 114151522023115418
Internazionale 2015–16 26120——281
2016–17 2000—4060
Total 28120—40341
Career total 394442712053147146

International

As of 8 April 2012.[41]
National team Club Season Apps Goals
Brazil Fiorentina 2008–09 10 2
Juventus 2009–10 12 0
Total 22 2

International goals

Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.[42]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 1 April 2009 Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil  Peru
3–0
3–0
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 18 June 2009 Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa  United States
1–0
3–0
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup

Honours

Club

Brazil Flamengo

Brazil Cruzeiro

Turkey Galatasaray

International

Brazil Brazil

Individual

Personal life

Melo is married to Roberta[44] and they have one daughter (Pietra) and three sons, Davi, Linyker (who he named after the English centre forward Gary Lineker),[45] and Bernardo.

References

  1. ↑ "Felipe Melo: "Prego e picchio"". TuttoSport (in Italian). Goal.com. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  2. ↑ "Melo maç sonunda şoke etti!". AMK (in Turkish). 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Felipe Melo ficha por la Fiorentina". AS (in Spanish). 13 March 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  4. ↑ "Fútbol sala para terminar". Almería. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  5. ↑ "Comunicato Stampa" (in Italian). ACF Fiorentina. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  6. ↑ "Comunicato Stampa" (in Italian). ACF Fiorentina. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Official: Felipe Melo joins Juventus". Juventus F.C. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "Milano, 20 giugno 2004" (PDF). Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  9. ↑ "Agreement with ACF Fiorentina S.p.A. for the disposal of the player C. Zanetti" (PDF). Juventus. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  10. ↑ Felipe Melo Galatasaray’da (Turkish)}. Galatasaray.org. Retrieved on 2012-05-31.
  11. ↑ "Agreement with Galatasaray for the disposal of the player Felipe Melo" (PDF). Juventus FC. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "Felipe Melo de Carvalho'nun Juventus Football Club SPA'dan satın alma opsiyonlu olarak kiralanması hakkında" [Felipe Melo de Carval from Juventus Football Club SPA on loan with option to purchase]. Galatasaray (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure System. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  13. ↑ Felipe Melo tattoo (speculation) turkish-football.com (English) accessed 29 May 2010
  14. ↑ Saved by 3 points Melo Galatasaray (Statement) habermonitor.com (Turkish w/ English option)
  15. ↑ "Juventus' Felipe Melo Galatasaray talks break down - ESPN FC". ESPNFC.com.
  16. ↑ "Melo rejoins Galatasaray on loan". ESPNSoccernet. 14 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "KAP".
  18. ↑ "Felipe Melo vira goleiro, pega pênalti no último minuto e salva Galatasaray na Turquia". UOL Esporte.
  19. ↑ "Relazione finanziaria annuale al 30 giugno 2014" (PDF) (in Italian). Juventus F.C. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Felipe Melo joins Galatasaray" (in Turkish). Skysports. 20 July 2013. Retrieved July 2013. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  21. ↑ "KAP".
  22. ↑ "Felipe Melo Galatasaray formasıyla 100. maçına çıkacak" (in Turkish). Eurosport Turkish Edition. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  23. ↑ Galatasaray (1 September 2015). "Felipe Melo De Carvalho - Transfer" (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure System (KAP). Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  24. ↑ "Official: Felipe Melo to Inter - Football Italia".
  25. ↑ "Brazil's Felipe Melo sent off for stamping". Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  26. ↑ "Melo abused by fans as Brazil return". ESPN Soccernet. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  27. 1 2 "Inter's title hopes spurred by bullish Melo and Medel". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  28. 1 2 3 "Felipe Melo: My time will come again". FIFA.com. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  29. 1 2 "Medel e Melo simboli della nuova Inter: tanta corsa e sacrificio al servizio della squadra" (in Italian). Goal.com. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  30. 1 2 Rob Hughes (2 July 2010). "A Sure Thing? Not in This World Cup". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  31. ↑ Paul Sumeet (27 September 2015). "Felipe Melo happy to do Inter dirty work". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  32. ↑ "Inter: Mancini richiama Felipe Melo" (in Italian). Calciomercato.com. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  33. ↑ Ben Gladwell (4 September 2015). "Inter Milan midfielder Felipe Melo accepts he is a 'nasty player'". ESPN FC. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  34. ↑
  35. ↑ "Felipe Melo desabafa contra jornalista: "corno mais famoso da imprensa"". Terra. 18 June 2013.
  36. ↑ "Chamado de "corno", comentarista entra com processo contra Felipe Melo". Terra. 12 August 2013.
  37. ↑ Koray DURKAL (3 June 2014). "Melo'nun Las Vegas'ta 'şampiyon Fener' kavgası".
  38. ↑ "Melo, Felipe". National Football Teams. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  39. ↑ "FELIPE MELO DE CARVALHO". Turkish Football Federation. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  40. ↑ "Felipe Melo de Carvalho". Mackolik.com. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  41. ↑ "Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2008–2009". RSSSFbrasil.com. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  42. ↑ "Felipe Melo's games". National-football-teams.com.
  43. ↑ "GALATASARAY.ORG".
  44. ↑ No ritmo do assobio da família, Felipe Melo se garante na seleção. Globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-31.
  45. ↑ , The Guardian online, 9 September 2015
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