Mario Melchiot
{{short description|Dutch association football player (born 1976)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mario Melchiot
| image = Mario-Melchiot.jpg
| caption = Melchiot in 2007
| full_name = Mario Dino Patrick Melchiot{{cite web |url=https://jurisprudence.tas-cas.org/Shared%20Documents/3436.pdf |title=Arbitration CAS 2013/A/3436 UMM Salal Sport Club v. Mario Melchiot, award of 23 December 2014 |publisher=Court of Arbitration for Sport |page=2 |access-date=29 October 2021}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|11|4|df=y}}{{Hugman|13454|access-date=10 May 2020}}
| birth_place = Amsterdam, Netherlands
| position = Right-back{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/mario-melchiot/ |title=Mario Melchiot: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=10 May 2020}}
| currentclub =
| years1 = 1996–1999
| clubs1 = Ajax
| caps1 = 73
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1999–2004
| clubs2= Chelsea
| caps2 = 130
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2004–2006
| clubs3 = Birmingham City
| caps3 = 57
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2006–2007
| clubs4 = Rennes
| caps4 = 30
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2007–2010
| clubs5 = Wigan Athletic
| caps5 = 97
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2010–2011
| clubs6 = Umm Salal
| caps6 = 20
| goals6 = 0
| totalcaps = 407
| totalgoals = 9
| nationalyears1 = 1994–1995
| nationalteam1 = Netherlands U19
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 1996–1998
| nationalteam2 = Netherlands U21
| nationalcaps2 = 13
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2000–2008
| nationalteam3 = Netherlands
| nationalcaps3 = 22
| nationalgoals3 = 0
}}
Mario Dino Patrick Melchiot (born 4 November 1976) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played both as a right-back and as a centre-back, and also occasionally played in midfield.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/1954699.stm |title=Chelsea who's who |website=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2002 |access-date=3 September 2010}} He represented the Netherlands national football team at UEFA Euro 2008, and mostly played abroad for football clubs in England, France and Qatar.
Early life
Melchiot was born and raised in Amsterdam, living with his two brothers and two sisters. He enjoyed a close relationship with his eldest brother, Winston, who acted as Mario's mentor after their parents split up. When Winston died of a heart attack at the age of 25 in 1996, Melchiot considered giving up football.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/best-of-times-worst-of-times-mario-melchiot-3nczvm0k7qt |title=Best of Times, Worst of Times: Mario Melchiot |interviewer=Danny Scott |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=6 June 2004 |access-date=27 September 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240927121710/https://www.thetimes.com/article/best-of-times-worst-of-times-mario-melchiot-3nczvm0k7qt |archive-date=27 September 2024}}
Club career
=Ajax=
Melchiot started his career in the youth system at Ajax, and made his debut in the 1996–97 season. He scored his first goal for the club in the semi-final of the Champions League in a 4–1 defeat against Juventus.{{cite news |url=http://www.dortmund.com.au/dortmund-news/1997/4/24/dortmund-juventus-through-to-cup-final/ |title=Dortmund, Juventus Through To Cup Final |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=24 April 1997 |access-date=1 September 2010}} Melchiot spent three seasons at the club, winning the Eredivisie in 1998 and the KNVB Cup in 1998 and 1999. In the summer of 1999, he signed a three-year contract with Chelsea under the Bosman ruling.{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60450653.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104171037/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60450653.html |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=CHELSEA WIN THE BATTLE OF THE BLUES; Rangers pipped in race for super Mario. |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=14 June 1999 |access-date=3 September 2010}}
=Chelsea=
For most of his first season at the club, Melchiot did not feature in the first team due to injuries. However, on 22 April 2000, following an injury to Albert Ferrer, he finally made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Middlesbrough. A month later he played in the 2000 FA Cup Final against Aston Villa where he played a major role in helping Chelsea win the match.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
At the start of the 2000–01 season, Melchiot scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 2–0 win against Manchester United in the 2000 FA Charity Shield.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/879061.stm |title=Keane sees red as Chelsea triumph |website=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2000 |access-date=1 September 2010}} His second goal was also against Manchester United, as he helped his team to a memorable 3–0 win at Old Trafford in the 2001–02 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3017946/United-they-fall.html |title=United they fall |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=1 December 2001 |access-date=30 June 2013}} Under the management of Claudio Ranieri, He quickly established himself as the club's first-choice right-back, and was soon rewarded with a contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2004.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sheringham-will-seek-twoyear-united-deal-692777.html |title=Sheringham will seek two-year United deal |newspaper=The Independent |date=21 February 2001 |access-date=1 October 2010 |location=London |first=Kieran |last=Daley}}
=Birmingham City=
Melchiot signed for Birmingham City on a three-year contract in July 2004,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/3880795.stm |title=Melchiot joins Birmingham |website=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2004 |access-date=1 September 2010}} and made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Portsmouth.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3553176.stm |title=Portsmouth 1–1 Birmingham |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2004 |access-date=1 September 2010}} In his second season, Birmingham found themselves in a relegation battle. He soon became a scapegoat for the club's poor performances, and was booed by his own supporters in a match against Tottenham Hotspur.{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Melchiot+scapegoat+as+relegation+fears+put+St+Andrew%27s...-a0143423081 |title=Melchiot scapegoat as relegation fears put St Andrew's crowd in nasty mood. |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=20 March 2006 |access-date=29 September 2010}} Birmingham were finally relegated in April 2006 after a 0–0 draw with Newcastle United. He played his last game for Birmingham in their 1–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 7 May 2006. He scored two league goals during his spell at Birmingham, against Charlton Athletic{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4150629.stm |title=Charlton 3–1 Birmingham |website=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2005 |access-date=24 October 2009}} and Wigan Athletic.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4562586.stm |title=Birmingham 2–0 Wigan |website=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2006 |access-date=24 October 2009}}
=Rennes=
In August 2006, Melchiot joined French outfit Rennes on a one-year contract. He scored his first goal for the club in a Coupe de la Ligue Round of 16 tie against Ligue 2 club Libourne-Saint-Seurin. He endeared himself to the Rennes faithful when he scored his first league goal for the club in a 2–0 win over fierce rivals Nantes. Melchiot's contract with Rennes lasted until the summer of 2007.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
=Wigan Athletic=
Melchiot joined Wigan Athletic on a free transfer on 15 June 2007.{{cite news |title=Wigan capture defender Melchiot |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/6755599.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2007 |access-date=15 June 2007}} On 24 July 2007, he was given the Wigan captaincy,{{cite web |title=Captain Mario |url=http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~1078361,00.html |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=24 July 2007 |access-date=25 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104100433/http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10429~1078361%2C00.html |archive-date=4 November 2008}} following the departure of his compatriot Arjan de Zeeuw. He became a fan-favourite at the JJB Stadium, and made Latics history when he became the first Wigan player to play in a major international tournament by coming on for the Netherlands against Romania at the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament. He made 101 appearances for Wigan during his three years at the club.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
=Umm Salal=
In June 2010, Melchiot turned down a new contract from Wigan and agreed to join Umm-Salal Sports Club on a free transfer after his existing contract expired at the end of the month.{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/umm-salal-melchiot/ |title=Melchiot signs with Qatari club Umm Salal |agency=Associated Press |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=24 August 2020}} He was signed by Umm Salal manager, Henk ten Cate, as he was reportedly interested in an experienced defender after signing Spanish midfielder Gabri.{{cite web |title=Melchiot makes Qatar switch |website=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6190560,00.html |access-date=6 June 2010}} He made his debut in a 2–2 draw against Al-Arabi. At the end of the 2010–11 Qatar Stars League Season, he left Umm-Salal as they opted not to give him a new one-year contract.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
International career
Melchiot was capped 22 times for the Netherlands since making his international debut on 11 October 2000 in a 2–0 World Cup qualifier defeat against Portugal. His last international appearance was in the final group match of UEFA Euro 2008 against Romania on 17 June 2008.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
Outside football
In 1998, Melchiot and Ajax teammates Benni McCarthy and Dean Gorre, calling themselves BMD, released a rap/R & B track called "Midas Touch".{{cite web |url=http://www.ajax.nl/web/show/id=154417/contentid=15094 |title=BMD: Zingen is leuk, maar voetbal gaat voor |date=1 January 1999 |publisher=AFC Ajax |language=nl |access-date=25 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531044035/http://www.ajax.nl/web/show/id%3D154417/contentid%3D15094 |archive-date=31 May 2008}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/aug/08/theknowledge.sport |title=Which footballers have released a record? |last1=Dart |first1=James |last2=Bandini |first2=Nicky |date=8 August 2007 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=25 May 2008 |location=London}} He has also campaigned for the British Heart Foundation{{cite web |url=http://www.bhf.org.uk/report05/extras/melchiotInterview.htm |title=Mario Melchiot interview |publisher=British Heart Foundation |year=2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051026100108/https://www.bhf.org.uk/report05/extras/melchiotInterview.htm |archive-date=26 October 2005}} and has appeared on the quiz show A Question of Sport.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1596281/ |title=Mario Melchiot |website=IMDb |access-date=11 September 2010}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup, Coupe de France}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes Football League Cup, Coupe de la Ligue}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Ajax{{cite web |url=http://www.vi.nl/Teams/Ajax.htm?dbid=343&typeofpage=84139 |title=Voetbal International – Ajax |language=nl |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822063526/http://www.vi.nl/Teams/Ajax.htm?dbid=343&typeofpage=84139 |archive-date=22 August 2010}}
|23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | 1{{efn|name=DutchSC|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}} | 0 | 34 | 1 | ||
| 1997–98
|Eredivisie |26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=UEFAC|Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup}} | 0 | 33 | 0 | ||||
| 1998–99
|Eredivisie |24 | 1 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=DutchSC}} | 0 | 30 | 2 | ||
| colspan=2"|Total
!73||1||8||1||colspan="2"|—||14||1||2||0||97||3 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="6"|Chelsea{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/mario-melchiot-118/ |title=Mario Melchiot |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises (Association of Football Statisticians) |access-date=22 March 2020}}
|5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01
|Premier League |31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=UEFAC}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in FA Charity Shield}} | 1 | 35 | 1 | |
| 2001–02
|Premier League |37 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=UEFAC}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 50 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03
|Premier League |34 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04
|Premier League |23 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 2 | ||
| colspan=2"|Total
!130||4||16||0||9||0||9||0||1||1||165||5 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Birmingham City
|Premier League |34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 1 | |||
| 2005–06
|Premier League |23 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 1 | |||
| colspan=2"|Total
!57||2||7||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||67||2 | ||||||||||||
| Rennes{{cite web |url=http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Mario-Melchiot.html |title=Mario Melchiot |language=fr |access-date=1 September 2010}}
|30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 3 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Wigan Athletic
|Premier League |31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 0 | |||
| 2008–09
|Premier League |34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10
|Premier League |32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!97||0||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||101||0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!387||9||34||1||17||1||23||1||3||1||464||13 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Ajax
- Eredivisie: 1997–98{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
- KNVB Cup: 1997–98, 1999–99{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
- Ajax talent of the year 1997
Chelsea
- FA Cup: 1999–2000;{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/756784.stm |title=Chelsea claim FA Cup glory |website=BBC News |date=20 May 2000 |access-date=10 May 2020}} runner-up: 2001–02{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1959840.stm |title=Arsenal lift FA Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021216122448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1959840.stm |archive-date=16 December 2002}}
- FA Charity Shield: 2000{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/876431.stm |title=Charity Shield clockwatch |website=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2000 |access-date=10 May 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Mario-Melchiot.html Mario Melchiot's profile, stats & pics]
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150717161859/http://www.wereldvanoranje.nl/profielen/profiel.php?id=1124 Wereld van oranje.nl Profile] {{in lang|nl}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160205005022/http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/25/50a3c208-9e541370-693784 Netherlands youth] at OnsOranje
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{AFC Ajax Talent of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Melchiot, Mario}}
Category:Footballers from Amsterdam
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers
Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Netherlands men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Stade Rennais FC players
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Qatar Stars League players
Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players
Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar
Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in France