Melissa Bellucci

Melissa started playing football at just four years old, kicking a ball around the local square and park with her friends. At six, she asked her parents to enrol her with FC Pedaso, the village club where her football journey began.

She says she never doubted football was the sport for her. Even as a child, she took a ball everywhere she went and quickly realised that what she loved most was simply having fun with it.

Away from football, Melissa studied Sport Sciences at Università San Raffaele. She has said she finds the subjects fascinating and enjoys combining her studies with professional football.

In her spare time she enjoys watching films, listening to music and playing the guitar. She revealed that former Sassuolo teammate Lia Lonni helped teach her to play.

Growing up, Melissa admired Andrea Pirlo and Andrés Iniesta for the elegance of their play. Today, she particularly enjoys watching Pedri, while Aitana Bonmatí is the player she considers her biggest football idol.

Melissa hopes young girls see her as proof that dreams are achievable. She says she always makes time after matches for photos and autographs, because she remembers what it was like to look up to footballers herself.

Besides football, she is a keen sports fan. She enjoys basketball—which she also played as a child—and follows tennis whenever her football schedule allows.