Juan Alberto Andreu
Encyclopedia
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
.
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- this came just one week after having scored two unfortunate own goal
s against FC Barcelona
in a league
match at the Camp Nou
.
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
.
at under-16, under-17
, under-19
, under-20
and under-21
levels.
Spain U16
Spain U19
Spain U20
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.
Barbate
- External links :** - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía*...
, Cádiz, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
), is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for K.A.A. Gent in the Belgian first division.
A versatile defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, he can appear as either a right or a central defender, and spent most of his professional career at Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, for which he appeared in more than 200 official games, winning one Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
.
Club career
Melli joined Real BetisReal Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
as a 14-year old, and made his way up through the ranks until he reached the reserve team
Real Betis B
Real Betis B is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1963, it is the reserve team of Real Betis, and currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 4, holding home games at Ciudad Deportiva, with a capacity for 4,000 spectators.Unlike the...
in 2001. He served a small loan stint at Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
neighbours Polideportivo Ejido
Polideportivo Ejido
Club Polideportivo Ejido, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in El Ejido, Province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1969, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 4....
in the late stages of 2001–02, with two appearances in the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
.
Melli scored his first career goal through a header from a Joaquín
Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez
Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez , simply Joaquín, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Málaga CF.A right winger, he is well known for his flashy style of play, lightning quick pace, acceleration, excellent dribbling ability and pinpoint crossing.During his career, Joaquín was solely associated with...
corner kick, against CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
on 18 September 2004 (3–2 away loss). He also appeared in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and UEFA Cup during the 2005–06 season
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
. In the latter, he scored an essential goal away to AZ Alkmaar which allowed Betis to progress into the next round- this came just one week after having scored two unfortunate own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
s against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in a league
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
match at the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
.
Melli won his first medal for Betis during the 2005 Spanish Cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
final against Osasuna at the Vicente Calderón Stadium
Vicente Calderón Stadium
The Vicente Calderón Stadium is the home stadium of La Liga football club Atlético Madrid and is located in the Arganzuela district of Spanish capital Madrid. The stadium was originally called the Manzanares Stadium, but this was later changed to the Vicente Calderón Stadium, after the famous...
, on 11 June 2005, playing the full 90 minutes plus extra time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
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
2010–11 Segunda División
-Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:||style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=11 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Positions by round:Source: -Results:...
, now with CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
(in the second division) whom he joined in the 2010 summer - a second consecutive for the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
club - Melli moved abroad for the first time and signed for K.A.A. Gent in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, joining compatriot César Arzo
César Arzo Amposta
César Arzo Amposta is a Spanish footballer who plays for K.A.A. Gent in Belgium, as a central defender.-Football career:...
.
International career
Melli represented the Spanish national teamSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
at under-16, under-17
Spain national under-17 football team
The Spain national under-17 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain....
, under-19
Spain national under-19 football team
The Spain national under-19 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-UEFA European Under-19 Championship Record:...
, under-20
Spain national under-20 football team
The Spain national under-20 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA World Youth Championship Record:...
and under-21
Spain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
levels.
Honours
Betis- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2004–05
Spain U16
- UEFA U-16 ChampionshipUEFA European Under-17 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-17 Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. From 1982 to 2001 it was an Under-16 event.This meeting serves as a preliminary competition for the FIFA U-17 World Cup every other year....
: 20012001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------Group D:---------------------Quarterfinals:-------------Semi-finals:-----Third Place Playoff:-Final:-References:**...
Spain U19
- UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20022002 UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe 2002 UEFA Under-19 Championship was held in Norway between 21 July and 28 July 2002. The top three finishers in each group qualified for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Players born on or after 1 January 1983 were eligible to participate in this competition.It was the first tournament...
Spain U20
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
: Runner-up 20032003 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
Personal
Melli's nicknameNickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
stems from the Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
word mellizo (twin
Twin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
), 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
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
during his career.