Melissa Espina
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Melissa Andrea Espina Esquivel | ||
| Date of birth | 6 July 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Santiago, Chile | ||
| Height | 1.54 m (5 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Deportes Iquique | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2020 | Aztecas UDLAP | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007 | Unión San Felipe | ||
| –2010 | Audax Italiano | ||
| 2011–2012 | Colo-Colo | ||
| 2013–2014 | Universidad de Chile | ||
| 2020–2022 | Palestino | ||
| 2023 | Atlético San Luis | ||
| 2024 | Audax Italiano | ||
| 2025– | Deportes Iquique | ||
| International career | |||
| 2009–2010 | Chile U17 | ||
| 2012 | Chile U20 | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Melissa Andrea Espina Esquivel (born 6 July 1994) is a Chilean footballer who plays as a midfielder for Deportes Iquique [es].
Born in Santiago de Chile,[2] Espina began playing football alongside male players.[3]
At club level, she made her debut with Unión San Felipe at the age of thirteen.[4]
Later, she played for Audax Italiano [es],[5] Colo-Colo[6] and Universidad de Chile.[7][8][9]
In 2015, she emigrated to Mexico and spent six years playing at university level for Aztecas UDLAP until 2020.[10][3]
Back in Chile, she joined Palestino [es].[10] In February 2022, she signed her first professional contract with them.[11] In the first half of the same year, she suffered a collarbone fracture, returning to play in the second half.[9]
In 2023, she joined the Mexican club Atlético San Luis, becoming the first Chilean player in the Liga MX Femenil.[9][10] She made his debut on 16 January in the 3–1 win against León[12] and left the club in the second half of the year.[13]
In 2024, Espina returned to her homeland and rejoined Audax Italiano.[14] The next year, she switched to Deportes Iquique [es].[15]
International career
In 2009, Espina represented Chile U17 in friendly matches previous to the 2010 South American Championship,[4] but she was hit by a car while riding a bicycle, suffering a fracture in two lumbar vertebrae and not taking part in the final squad.[9] However, she took part in the FIFA World Cup.[5]
In 2012, she represented the under-20's.[4]
At senior level, she has taken part in training microcycles in 2021.[16][17]