Player profile

Emerging from relative obscurity, Melo has slotted into the heart of Brazil’s midfield with the minimum of fuss, but with the maximum of impact.

A fearsome tackler who picks up suspensions galore, he has endured a disastrous first season during what has been a horror year for Juventus. He arrived at the Old Lady last summer in a reported €25m (£20.8m) deal from Fiorentina, yet has failed to impress.

He was the unwelcome recipient of the 2009 Bidone d’Oro (Golden Bin) award which is given to the biggest flop in Serie A by listeners of the Radio Rai 2 show ‘Catersport’.

Throughout his career he has been something of a nomad with spells at Flamengo, Cruzeiro, Gremio, Real Mallorca and Racing Santander, before finally starting to realise his potential at Spanish First Division club Almeria.

An outstanding season in 2007/08 led to a move to Florence and then Turin, meaning he has been at eight clubs in the last nine seasons.

National coach Dunga, a man who knows something about defensive midfielders, spotted Melo’s talent and gave him a place in the squad at the start of 2009.

He enjoyed an imposing debut against Italy which cemented his spot not only in the squad, but in the starting XI. He scored an excellent goal on his third appearance in Brazil’s colours in a World Cup qualifier against Peru.

Melo was forced to deny reports that team-mate Kaka had stormed off the pitch after he put in a strong tackle on the former World Player of the Year during a training session prior to the World Cup finals. He celebrates his 27th birthday the day after Brazil’s final group game with Portugal.