Felix Michel Melki

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For the German slalom canoeist, see Felix Michel (canoeist).
In this Lebanese name, the father's name is Robert and the family name is Melki.

Felix Michel Melki
Felix Michel Melki 20191201.jpg
Michel Melki with Lebanon at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup
Personal information
Full name George Felix Robert Melki[1]
Birth name Felix Michel
Date of birth (1994-07-23) 23 July 1994 (age 27)
Place of birth Södertälje, Sweden[1]
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender, midfielder
Club information
Current team
 AFC Eskilstuna
Number 13
Youth career
Syrianska FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Syrianska FC 21 (1)
2016–2018 Eskişehirspor 10 (1)
2018–2019 AFC Eskilstuna 29 (0)
2019– AIK 16 (0)
2021 → Sarpsborg 08 (loan) 1 (0)
2021– → AFC Eskilstuna (loan) 13 (1)
National team‡
2018– Lebanon 24 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:06, 22 November 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:31, 7 December 2021 (UTC)

George Felix Robert Melki[note 1] (Arabic: جورج فيليكس روبير ملكي, Lebanese Arabic pronunciation: [ʒorʒ feˈli(ː)ks ˈmelki, -ke]; born 23 July 1994), known as Felix Michel Melki,[note 2] is a professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Swedish club AFC Eskilstuna, on loan from Swedish club AIK, and the Lebanon national team.

After following his father's tracks playing at Syrianska for three years, Michel Melki moved to Turkish side Eskişehirspor in 2016. In 2018, he moved back to Sweden signing for AFC Eskilstuna and helped them gain promotion back to the Allsvenskan. In 2019 he transferred to Swedish champions AIK, who loaned him out to Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08 in 2021.

Born in Sweden, in 2018 Michel Melki opted to represent Lebanon at senior level, on account of having a Lebanese paternal grandfather. He played in all three group stage games for "the Cedars" at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup; he scored against North Korea and was named Man of the Match.

Early life[]

Michel Melki was born in Sweden to a Swedish mother and a Syriac father, Robert Michel, who used to play for Syrianska when the team was still in the lower divisions of Swedish football.[3] Felix has also acquired a Lebanese passport due to his origins, making him eligible for the Lebanese national team.[4] He stated in an interview with TRT World that his grandfather was Lebanese, and that two of his father's sisters were born in Lebanon.[5] Felix has an older brother, Alexander, who also plays football.[6]

Club career[]

Syrianska[]

At age seven Michel began his football career in the youth team of the Swedish side Syrianska FC, the club of the local Syriac community.[7] Starting from 2013, he played in the first team and made some sporadic appearances in the league and domestic cup.[8] He only began to establish himself as a starter in the 2016 season, making 10 league appearances.

Eskişehirspor[]

In August 2016 he moved to the TFF First League side Eskişehirspor.[9] Michel played 10 league matches for the Turkish club.[7]

AFC Eskilstuna[]

In March 2018 Michel signed for Superettan side AFC Eskilstuna,[10] where he would be reunited with his brother Alexander. In his first season, he made 21 league appearances and one cup appearance; he helped his side gain promotion to the Allsvenskan through the play-offs. In 2019 he started in 13 league and cup matches.[7]

AIK[]

On 25 July 2019, Allsvenskan champions AIK announced the signing of Michel on a three-year deal.[7] He made his league debut on 27 July 2019 as an attacking midfielder, in a 2–0 away win against Sirius.[11] On 18 August 2019, Michel was placed as a striker against Kalmar, losing 1–2 at home.[12] With eight league appearances (three as a starter),[13] Michel helped his side reach fourth place in the 2019 Allsvenskan.[14]

Loan to Sarpsborg 08[]

On 10 May 2021, Michel Melki was loaned out to Norwegian Eliteserien side Sarpsborg 08 until 2 August.[15] He made his debut in the first match of the 2021 season on 16 May, as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw against Haugesund.[16] He ended his loan with only one appearance, and returned to AIK.[17]

Loan to AFC Eskilstuna[]

Michel Melki returned to AFC Eskilstuna in the Superettan on 11 August 2021, joining them on loan until the end of the 2021 season.[18] He made his debut on 14 August, as a 76th-minute substitute in a 4–1 win against Norrby.[19] Michel Melki's first goal came on 22 August, scoring a backheel volley from a corner against GIF Sundsvall;[20] the game ended in a 3–1 defeat.[21]

International career[]

Michel Melki with Lebanon at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup

On 15 November 2018, Michel Melki made his international debut for Lebanon against Uzbekistan; the match ended in a goalless draw as he played the whole 90 minutes.[22] He was called up for the 2019 Asian Cup, alongside his brother Alexander, one month later.[23] On 17 January 2019, he scored the equalizer in a 4–1 win against North Korea in the final group stage game and was nominated Man of the Match for his performance.[24]

Style of play[]

A versatile defensive-minded player, Michel Melki can mainly be deployed as either a centre-back or a defensive midfielder.[25][26] His main characteristics are his physicality and his ball-winning capabilities.[27] While at AIK, Michel Melki was also used as an attacking midfielder.[28]

Career statistics[]

Club[]

As of match played 21 November 2021[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Syrianska 2013 Allsvenskan 3 0 3 1 — — 6 1
2014 Superettan 5 0 — — — 5 0
2015 Superettan 2 0 4 0 — — 6 0
2016 Superettan 11 1 — — — 11 1
Total 21 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 28 2
Eskişehirspor 2016–17 TFF First League 3 0 1 0 — — 4 0
2017–18 TFF First League 7 1 1 0 — — 8 1
Total 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
AFC Eskilstuna 2018 Superettan 21 0 7 2 — 2[b] 0 30 2
2019 Allsvenskan 8 0 — — — 8 0
Total 29 0 7 2 0 0 2 0 38 2
AIK 2019 Allsvenskan 8 0 3 0 0 0 — 11 0
2020 Allsvenskan 8 0 2 0 — — 10 0
2021 Allsvenskan 0 0 — — — 0 0
Total 16 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 21 0
Sarpsborg 08 (loan) Eliteserien 1 0 — — — 1 0
AFC Eskilstuna (loan) 2021 Superettan 13 1 1 0 — — 14 1
Career total 90 3 22 3 0 0 2 0 114 6
  1. ^ Includes Svenska Cupen, Turkish Cup, Norwegian Football Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in Superettan promotion play-offs

International[]

As of match played 7 December 2021[29]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Lebanon 2018 2 0
2019 9 1
2020 0 0
2021 13 0
Total 24 1
Scores and results list Lebanon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Michel Melki goal.[30]
List of international goals scored by Felix Michel Melki
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 17 January 2019 Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates  North Korea 1–1 4–1 2019 AFC Asian Cup

Honours[]

AFC Eskilstuna

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ In Sweden, his full name is Felix Michel.
  2. ^ Known as Felix Michel in Sweden, or George Melki (Arabic: جورج ملكي) in Arabic.

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Felix Michel Melki". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Felix Michel". AIK Fotboll (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Alexander Michel är redo för nästa steg | Matchdax". matchdax.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  4. ^ "The Lebanon squad to face Uzbekistan and Australia has been named". YOUR HOME OF NEWS. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  5. ^ "How diaspora footballers came together under the Lebanese flag". TRT World. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  6. ^ "AFC Asian Cup 2019: Brothers competing in the continental tournament". FOX Sports Asia. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d "AIK Fotboll värvar Felix Michel". AIK Fotboll (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Syrianska FC > Aktuellt". 4 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  9. ^ "KLART: Felix Michel klar för Eskisehirspor". lt.se (in Swedish). 15 August 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  10. ^ Svedberg 0660-295532, Anna (29 March 2018). "Tidigare Syrianska-spelaren klar för Superettan – återförenas med brorsan: "Vi är överens"". lt.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Obasi håller i sin svit som stör Sirius". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  12. ^ "AIK Kalmar FF tips, predictions and odds".
  13. ^ a b Felix Michel Melki at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Tabell och resultat - Svensk fotboll". www.svenskfotboll.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  15. ^ Mahfoud, Maroun (10 May 2021). "Felix Melki gets loan spell". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  16. ^ Diab, Rami Abou (17 May 2021). "Lebanese Players Abroad: May 2021, Week 2". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  17. ^ "فليكس ملكي يترك ساربسبورغ". lebanonfg.com. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Felix Michel tillbaka i AFC Eskilstuna". afc-eskilstuna.se. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  19. ^ "AFC Eskilstuna vs. Norrby - 14 August 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  20. ^ discovery+ sport [@dplus_sportSE] (22 August 2021). "Felix Michel goal against GIF Sundsvall" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "GIF Sundsvall vs. AFC Eskilstuna - 22 August 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  22. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Uzbekistan vs. Lebanon (0:0)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  23. ^ "AC2019 Final Squads". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  24. ^ "Group E: Lebanon 4-1 DPR Korea". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  25. ^ "Klart: Han blir AIK:s första sommarköp". www.expressen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Sportchef bekräftar intresse för AIK-spelare: "Hoppas att vi står högt upp på hans lista"". fotbollskanalen (in Swedish). Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  27. ^ "AIK:s nyförvärv om flytten: "Det är stort - inte hunnit landa än"". fotbollskanalen (in Swedish). Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Felix Michel om AIK:s förändring: "Det här passar mig perfekt"". Fotboll Sthlm (in Swedish). 21 January 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Felix Michel Melki". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  30. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Felix Michel Melki". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Faltsetas i fokus när Häcken blev cupmästare". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2019.

External links[]

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