“My team has proven that girls can be as good as boys at football.”

Spanish star Alba Mellado opens up about her busy life built around the Beautiful Game

Alba Mellado was born 18 March 1992 in Madrid and, like so many athletes, her family was the inspiration for her career.

“My father is a builder but played football until he was 40 years-old at amateur level.” Explains the Spaniard. “My parents have been the biggest influence for me. They have always supported me to accomplish everything I wanted to achieve.”

This year has been a real success for Mellado, playing various competitions with her home club Madrid CFF. “We’ve done well this year. We won the Spanish Cup, finished second in the Spanish league and second in the Euro Winners Cup.” 

On top of that she has appeared in Christian Mendez’ selection for the national team, reaching a second final of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup, missing out to Russia for a second year running.

Mellado’s love of animals lead her to a profession as a vet nurse. She also has her level one training certificate and currently works as the sporting director at Madrid CFF, training two teams at grassroots level.

She dedicates much of her time to the development of fresh talent, but how did the 27-year-old’s beach soccer journey begin?

“My first exposure to beach soccer was when the club suggested that we could play at the Euro Winners Cup. I said yes of course – I love any opportunity to kick a ball!” 

The sport had her hooked straight away. “I love the events, the community, the fair play, the atmosphere; everything that beach soccer brings.”

“The more I trained and played the more I liked the sport, and on top of that, I had the good fortune to be selected for the Spanish national team in the first year that I began practising in 2017. Now, it makes me even more excited for summer to arrive every year!” she adds. 

It is everyone’s dream to represent their country in the sport they’re passionate in, and for Mellado it is no diferent…

“The pride and happiness is difficult to explain. To be rewarded like this is one of the best things that could ever happen to an athlete.”

“It’s incredible to experience travelling to new places with like-minded people who are as passionate as you are, as well as meeting new people and being involved in international events.”

It’s clear that the striker’s family had a lot to do with her sporting development, but there are people in this game she loves that inspire her too. 

 “I really admire Llorenç Enzo [2018 World’s Best Player]. As well as his incredible ability on the pitch, he transmits so much positivity and is a genuinely good person.”

“My biggest achievements in football have been gaining promotion to the first division the Liga Iberdrola, and then becoming champions of Spain. And then the things I’ve achieved with the girls I train at Madrid CFF have been amazing. In a league of boys, my team which is composed only of girls, won the championship! Nobody had done it in the past because they didn’t believe that the girls could beat the boys”. 

As well as having her own role models Alba Mellado has quickly become exactly that for the next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen. “I’ve always tried to teach the girls not to conform and accept what they have and to always push for more.”

But going back to her honours within beach soccer, what moments would she consider the most precious?

“My greatest achievements in the sport have been reaching the final of the Euro Winners Cup, with my club and twice with Spain in the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup.”

And how does the Spanish forward see the evolution of women’s beach soccer?

“Every year there are more women’s teams that want to play and every year there are more provinces that organise events in their areas to prepare for the Euro Winners Cup.”

“The women’s game has come a long way in a short time and, on a personal level, since I’ve been playing I think they have been the best years of my life. I’ve learnt so much, not only in terms of skill, but as a person too.”

“I think beach soccer will be a very popular sport in the future. It gives people the chance to witness really impressive footballing abilities that maybe they wouldn’t see elsewhere.”