Felipe Melo is a defensive midfielder who plays for Italian side Juventus and Brazil.
Melo started his career at Flamengo and had several successful seasons for various Brazilian club sides. He then moved first to Mallorca then to Racing Santander in Spain, where things were off to a slow start. Eventually he found some form again and stayed two seasons with Racing. This was followed by an impressive season with Almunia before deciding on a move to the Italian Serie A. He played the 2008/09 season for Fiorentina, again impressing with his robust playing style. This resulted in Melo being called up to the Brazilian squad and several clubs being interested in his signature. In July 2009 he signed for Juventus. The 2009/10 season was at times disappointing for Melo but he kept his plaze in the Brazilian team going to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In their quarterfinal loss to Netherlands Melo started with an assist for the goal putting Brazil ahead. He then touched the ball which gave Netherlands the equalizer, initially being accredited as an own goal. Bad went from worse when Melo was sent off from having stamped Arjan Robben. Melo was subsequently blamed by many supporters for Brazil’s World Cup exit.
The new Brazilian head coach has so far preferred Chelsea’s Ramires and Tottenham’s Sandro at the central defensive midfield position.