Gonzalo Melero

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Melero and the second or maternal family name is Manzanares.

Gonzalo Julián Melero Manzanares (born 2 January 1994) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for CD Leganés.

Gonzalo Melero

Personal information
Full name	Gonzalo Julián Melero Manzanares
Date of birth	(1994-01-02) 2 January 1994 (age 31)
Place of birth	Madrid, Spain
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Leganés
Number	16
Youth career
2000–2004	Zona Norte
2004–2013	Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2014	Real Madrid C	37	(7)
2014–2015	Real Madrid B	6	(0)
2015–2016	Ponferradina	38	(1)
2016–2019	Huesca	98	(25)
2019–2022	Levante	85	(16)
2022–2025	Almería	87	(9)
2025–	Leganés	0	(0)
International career
2010–2011	Spain U17	3	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 2 June 2025

Club career

Born in Madrid, Melero joined Real Madrid's youth setup in 2004, aged ten, after starting out at EF Zona Norte. He made his debut as a senior with the former's C-team in the 2013–14 campaign, being relegated from Segunda División B.

In July 2014 Melero was promoted to the reserves, now also in the third level.^[1] On 30 January of the following year, after being sparingly used by manager Zinedine Zidane, he moved to Segunda División's SD Ponferradina in a 2+1⁄2-year deal.^[2]

Melero made his professional debut on 15 February 2015, coming on as a second half substitute for Pablo Infante in a 2–1 home loss against CD Numancia.^[3] He scored his first professional goal on 27 February of the following year, but in a 4–2 away loss against Bilbao Athletic.

On 27 July 2016, after Ponfe's relegation, Melero signed a one-year contract with SD Huesca still in the second level.^[4] On 10 December, he scored a brace in a 5–2 home routing of UCAM Murcia CF.

Melero was an undisputed starter during the 2017–18 campaign, contributing with a career-best 17 goals as his side achieved promotion to La Liga. He made his debut in the category on 19 August 2018, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 away win against SD Eibar.^[5]

On 3 July 2019, after suffering relegation, Melero signed a four-year contract with Levante UD still in the top tier.^[6] On 1 September 2022, he agreed to a four-year deal with UD Almería also in the first division.^[7]

On 13 August 2025, Melero was transferred to second division side CD Leganés, and signed a two-year contract with the club.^[8]

Personal life

Melero has two children with the sports journalist Lucía Villalón.^[9]

Career statistics

As of 25 May 2024^[10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Real Madrid C	2012–13	Segunda División B	37	7	—		—		37	7
Real Madrid B	2013–14	Segunda División B	6	0	—		—		6	0
Ponferradina	2014–15	Segunda División	10	0	—		—		10	0
	2015–16		28	1	4	0	—		32	1
	Total		38	1	4	0	—		42	1
Huesca	2016–17	Segunda División	36	7	3	0	3	0	42	7
	2017–18		38	16	0	0	—		38	16
	2018–19	La Liga	22	2	1	0	—		23	2
	Total		96	25	4	0	3	0	103	25
Levante	2019–20	La Liga	25	2	2	0	—		27	2
	2020–21		29	7	6	1	—		35	8
	2021–22		29	7	1	0	—		30	7
	2022–23	Segunda División	2	0	—		—		2	0
	Total		85	16	9	1	—		94	17
Almería	2022–23	La Liga	27	4	1	0	—		28	4
	2023–24		28	1	1	0	—		29	1
	Total		55	5	2	0	—		57	5
Career total			317	54	19	1	3	0	339	55