Juan Alberto Andreu

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Melli
Personal information
Full name	Juan Alberto Andreu Alvarado
Date of birth	6 June 1984 (1984-06-06) (age 24)
Place of birth	Barbate, Spain
Height	1.80 m
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Real Betis
Number	2
Youth clubs
2000–2001	Real Betis B
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2001–2002 2002–	Polideportivo Ejido (loan) Real Betis	2 (0) 121 (1)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 June 2007. 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 22 July 2006. * Appearances (Goals)

Juan Alberto Andreu Alvarado, aka Melli, (born 6 June 1984 in Barbate, Cádiz, Andalusia) is a Spanish football player who currently plays for Real Betis of the Spanish La Liga. Melli is a versatile defender, having spent time as a right back and a central defender. His nickname stems from the Spanish word "mellizo" (twin), as Melli is himself a twin. His brother is also a footballer.

Contents 1 Career highlights 1.1 Real Betis 1.2 International career 2 External links

[edit] Career highlights

[edit] Real Betis

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 stint on loan at Polideportivo Ejido during the 2001/2002 season, with only two appearances.

Melli scored his first career goal through a header from a Joaquín corner kick, against Osasuna on September 18, 2004. He also appeared in the Champions League and UEFA Cup during the 2005/2006 season. In UEFA Cup, 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 goals against FC Barcelona in a league match at the Camp Nou.

Melli won his first medal for Betis during the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, on June 11, 2005, playing the full 90 minutes plus extra time as Betis won 2-1 with a winner from substitute Dani.

[edit] International career

Melli has taken part in the Spanish national team at Under-16, Under-17, Under-19, and Under-21 level. He has, however, made no appearances for the main la selección.

[edit] External links

• (Spanish) Betis official website
• UEFA.com profile

v • d • e Real Betis – current squad 1 Ricardo • 2 Melli • 3 Fernando Vega • 4 Juanito • 5 David Rivas • 6 Branko Ilič • 7 Caffa • 8 Arzu • 9 Fernando • 10 Edú • 11 Mark González • 12 Damià • 13 Casto • 14 Capi • 15 Nano • 16 Mariano Pavone • 17 Marko Babić • 18 Rivera • 19 Xisco • 20 Somoza • 21 Rafael Sobis • 22 Lima • 23 Odonkor • 24 José Mari • 25 Toni D. • Coach: Paco Chaparro