16 Facts About Mario Melchiot

Mario Dino Patrick Melchiot was born on 4 November 1976 and is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a defender.

Mario Melchiot played both as a right-back and as a centre-back, and occasionally played in midfield.

Mario Melchiot represented the Netherlands national football team at UEFA Euro 2008, and mostly played abroad for football clubs in England, France and Qatar.

Mario Melchiot enjoyed a close relationship with his eldest brother, Winston, who acted as Mario's mentor after their parents split up.

When Winston died of a heart attack at the age of 25 in 1996, Mario Melchiot considered giving up football.

Mario Melchiot spent three seasons at the club, winning the Eredivisie in 1998 and the KNVB Cup in 1998 and 1999.

For most of his first season at the club, Mario Melchiot did not feature in the first team due to injuries.

Mario Melchiot soon became a scapegoat for the club's poor performances, and was booed by his own supporters in a match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Mario Melchiot scored two league goals during his spell at Birmingham, against Charlton Athletic and Wigan Athletic.

Mario Melchiot scored his first goal for the club in a Coupe de la Ligue Round of 16 tie against Ligue 2 club Libourne-Saint-Seurin.

Mario Melchiot joined Wigan Athletic on a free transfer on 15 June 2007.

Mario Melchiot became a fan-favourite at the JJB Stadium, and made Latics history when he became the first Wigan player to play in a major international tournament by coming on for the Netherlands against Romania at the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament.

Mario Melchiot made 101 appearances for Wigan during his three years at the club.

In June 2010, Mario Melchiot turned down a new contract from Wigan and agreed to join Umm-Salal Sports Club on a free transfer after his existing contract expired at the end of the month.

Mario Melchiot was signed by Umm Salal manager, Henk ten Cate, as he was reportedly interested in an experienced defender after signing Spanish midfielder Gabri.

Mario Melchiot has campaigned for the British Heart Foundation and has appeared on the quiz show A Question of Sport.