Among the debutants in the new Champions League, the name of stands out John Mellberga young Swedish left-back, born in 2006, who currently plays for Austrian 2nd League club FC Liefering on loan from Red Bull Salzburg. If the name sounds familiar, the answer is yes: we are talking about the son of former Juventus centre-back Olof Mellberg. Standing at 1.88 m tall, Mellberg jr offers good physical presence and versatility in defence: he starts at left-back but can also play as a centre-back. He began his career in the youth system of IF Brommapojkarna, before moving to Austria in 2023, signing a contract with Red Bull Salzburg until 2026.
Technically, Mellberg is appreciated for his solid defensive skills, tactical awareness and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. His performances for Liefering in the Austrian 2. Liga and Youth League are making him stand out quickly, to the point of earning his Champions League debut with the seniors. He has also represented the Swedish U19 national team, showing maturity on the pitch despite his young age.
Name: John Mellberg
Date of birth: April 30, 2006
Nationality: Swedish
Role: left back/centre
Squad: Red Bull Salzburg
It looks like: Arne Riise
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