Alejandro Meleán

Alejandro Meleán
Personal information
Full name Alejandro Meleán Villarroel
Date of birth (1987-06-16) June 16, 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Miami, Florida, United States
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Guabirá
Number 8
Youth career
2005–2008 Holy Cross Crusaders
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 La Paz 37 (2)
2011–2016 Oriente Petrolero 180 (31)
2016–2017 Sport Boys 37 (1)
2017–2021 Wilstermann 111 (5)
2022– Guabirá 78 (7)
International career‡
2012– Bolivia 16 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 21, 2014
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 March 2018

Alejandro Meleán Villarroel (born June 16, 1987) is an American-born Bolivian professional football player who currently plays for Guabirá in the Bolivian Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano.

Club career

Early life

Melean attended Palmer Trinity School in Miami, where he played soccer and graduated in 2005. Later Meleán enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA after high school.[1] During his four years with the Holy Cross Crusaders, Meleán was named all-Patriot League Conference twice and all Mid-Atlantic in his final year.[2] Upon graduation, Meleán attempted to trial with numerous MLS squads, but after not finding any success, he returned to his native Miami.[2]

Move to Bolivia

While home in Miami, Meleán secured trials with clubs in Bolivia.[2] After a successful trial with Blooming, Meleán was offered a contract. Unhappy with terms of the contract, Meleán decided to join La Paz.[2] His performances with La Paz garnered interest from then champions, Oriente Petrolero.

Meleán joined Oriente Petrolero in 2011 as cover for the club ahead of their 2011 Copa Libertadores campaign.[2]

International career

Meleán made his debut for Bolivia in an October 2012 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Uruguay[3] and has, as of 20 June 2016, earned a total of 15 caps, scoring no goals.

References

  1. ^ "Alejandro Melean Enjoying Success For Bolivian Club Oriente Petrolero". College of the Holy Cross. October 26, 2011. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sciaretta, Brian (October 24, 2011). "Melean On The Rise In Bolivia". Yanks-Abroad.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ Alejandro Meleán – FIFA competition record (archived)