Melanie Serrano

The 2004/05 Super League began in spectacular fashion for Barça, with a derby with Espanyol played at the Miniestadi on September 15, 2004 that ended in an incredible 4-4 draw. That day the great Melanie Serrano made her debut , then a girl of just 14 years and 11 months who had arrived at the club in 2003 from her native Seville.

Melanie has become an example of loyalty to the blaugrana colours, holding the all-time absolute record for official appearances in the famous jersey (517), and remains the youngest player ever to appear in an official match for Barça. She also holds the club record for titles won (28).

Melanie's early days at FC Barcelona were not particularly pleasant. “We trained at ten at night, on a shared field” she remembers. “We also shared the locker room with four junior boys teams. The problem was that I had to get back to my home in Blanes, 60 kilometers from Barcelona, so I had to leave training early to catch the last train, just when the nicest part was coming, the one where we played little games among ourselves.

Sometimes I would jump over the fence... It was one of the sacrifices that were made those days, like washing our own kit, but it was worth it.”
Despite her extreme youth, Melanie's enormous footballing talent made her a regular starter in the Barça defence from the outset right through to her retirement at the end of the 2021/22 season.

She is remembered a a major asset by all of the different coaches, Natalia Astrain, Xavi Llorens, Fran Sánchez, Lluís Cortés and Jonatan Giráldez, and as a teammate of hers once said, Melanie is a person through and through, both on and off the field.

During the 2022/23 season Melanie Serrano was appointed assistant coach of the U14 D girls team at Barça.

Career

• Seasons at club: 2004-22
• Appearances: 517
• Goals: 32

Honours

• One Champions League: 2020/21
• Seven Ligas: 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22
• Eight Copas de la Reina: 2010/11, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22
• Two Spanish Super Cups: 2019/20, 2021/22
• Ten Copas Catalunya: 2009/10, 2020/11, 2012/12, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20