Arthur Melo Eager to Face Former Club Barcelona in Catalan Derby

BARCELONA, Spain — Arthur Melo, once heralded as one of football’s brightest talents, is set to face his former club, Barcelona, this Sunday as he competes for Girona in the Catalan derby. After a tumultuous exit from Barcelona in 2020 and a significant decline in his market value, Melo returned to La Liga aiming to reclaim his standing.

Having joined Juventus for €80 million after impressive performances at Barcelona, Melo’s market value dramatically fell from €70 million to just €5 million in recent years. In a bid to rejuvenate his career, he joined Girona on loan this January.

As the derby approaches, Melo expressed excitement about the chance to play against Barcelona again. “Barça are a team that I have a lot of affection for. I’m very excited to play against Barcelona again,” he commented during a press conference, reflecting on his past with the club.

Initially joining Barcelona in 2018 for approximately €31 million from Gremio, Melo made a name for himself with his technical skills. Over two years, he participated in 72 competitive matches before transferring to Juventus.

Despite his challenges since leaving Barcelona, Melo remains grateful for the opportunities the club provided. “It’s the team I watched when I was a kid, and it was the club that gave me the opportunity to realize my dream of coming to play in Europe. I am very fond of them,” he stated, underscoring his emotional connection to the team.

Since joining Girona, Melo has played in five matches, showcasing his commitment to contribute quality play in midfield. However, his primary focus against Barcelona will be to neutralize a talented opponent filled with skilled midfielders.