Melisa Nicolau Martín (born 20 June 1984), commonly known as Melisa or Mely, is a Spanish former footballer, who played as a defender for Primera División clubs Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona,[1][2] as well as the Spain women's national football team.

Melisa Nicolau
Personal information
Full name Melisa Nicolau Martín
Date of birth (1984-06-20) 20 June 1984 (age 39)
Place of birth Andratx, Spain
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1993–1997 CD S'Arracó
1997–1998 CA Paguera
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2004 Platges Calvià
2004–2010 Rayo Vallecano 83+ (0+)
2010–2013 FC Barcelona 64 (3)
International career
2002 Spain U19
2004–2013 Spain 31 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

She has been a member of the Spain women's national football team, playing the qualification stages for the 2007 World Cup,[3] the 2009 European Championship[4] and the 2011 World Cup.[5]

In June 2013, national team coach Ignacio Quereda confirmed Melisa as a member of his 23-player squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 finals in Sweden.[6] She decided to end her nine-year national team career and retire from football after the tournament.[7]

Titles edit

  • 2 leagues: 2009, 2010 (Rayo Vallecano)
  • 2 leagues: 2012, 2013 (F.C. Barcelona)
  • 1 national cup: 2008 (Rayo Vallecano)
  • 2 national cups: 2010, 2013 (F.C. Barcelona)

References edit

  1. ^ Mallorca-born Melisa Nicolau signs for FC Barcelona Diario de Mallorca
  2. ^ Meli, BDFutbol
  3. ^ Quereda calls 18 players for the games against Belgium and Denmark[permanent dead link] Terra Networks
  4. ^ The WNT will have to play the play-offs to qualify for the Euro'09 Diario Marca
  5. ^ Profile in FIFA.com
  6. ^ "Spain stick with tried and trusted". Uefa.com. UEFA. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  7. ^ Menayo, David (22 July 2013). "Mely Nicolau colgará las botas tras la Euro". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 July 2013.