Arthur Melo featured for 60 seconds for Liverpool before his temporary switch to Aston Villa on the last day of the transfer window in September – a noteworthy minute during which he initiated the sequence leading to Fabio Carvalho’s decisive goal in a 2-1 victory against Newcastle on August 31st. However, this minute has significantly clouded the Brazilian midfielder’s aspirations for the 2026 World Cup.
Due to a relatively obscure FIFA stipulation – Article 5, clause 2 of the Regulations concerning the Status and Transfer of Players – professional footballers are restricted to representing a maximum of two different clubs in a single season. This very regulation has seemingly cornered Melo, potentially leading to a year of inactivity without a clear resolution.
The rule articulates: “Players can be registered with a maximum of three clubs during a single season.” However, it further clarifies, “Within this timeframe, the player is only permitted to participate in official matches for two clubs.”
Consequently, one of Brazil’s promising talents now finds himself in a situation where he is contracted to a team that doesn’t utilize him, and he’s unable to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Melo, 27, entered this season on the heels of being recognized as the Most Valuable Player in Brazil’s triumphant Copa America campaign held in Colombia. This accomplishment closely followed his contribution to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team securing Premier League success, marked by 20 appearances instrumental in clinching the club’s first league title in three decades.
His temporary relocation to Villa was intended to provide him with consistent first-team exposure, establishing him as a regular Premier League presence and propelling him into Dorival Júnior’s Brazil squad in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup – mirroring the trajectories of his international colleagues such as Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), and Joelinton (also Newcastle) this season.
However, after being omitted from Villa’s matchday squad for the seventh consecutive Premier League fixture at Manchester City on Sunday – his most recent league involvement being 52 minutes against Crystal Palace on September 23rd – Melo has only accumulated 112 minutes for the club, comprising one start and four substitute appearances.
Sources have indicated to ESPN that Liverpool’s loan agreement for Melo lacks a termination clause, preventing the player’s return to Anfield when the transfer window opens next month. Furthermore, with the terms of Melo’s loan stipulating a £40 million obligation for Villa to finalize a permanent transfer at the end of the season should he make 12 Premier League appearances, there appears to be limited incentive for Villa’s manager, Steven Gerrard, to trigger this clause by frequently selecting a player he has sparingly used.
“Firstly, other players are currently delivering strong performances – this is the primary reason he [Melo] isn’t featuring,” Gerrard conveyed to the media this week. “He’s been training diligently every day. Our focus isn’t on the January transfer window at this moment. He remains part of our squad, and we anticipate he can contribute positively. Subsequently, we will make informed decisions.”
When Melo made the transition to Villa in the concluding moments of the summer window, insiders suggested that he was being groomed to fill the void left by Argentina international Emiliano Buendía, who was reportedly on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Buendia’s anticipated move to North London didn’t materialize, and the 26-year-old, initially seemingly outside of Gerrard’s plans following a season-long loan spell at AS Roma, has surprisingly reintegrated into Villa’s setup, making 10 Premier League appearances this season, contributing to the club’s ascent to fourth place in the league standings.
With John McGinn and Douglas Luiz also ahead of him in the midfield hierarchy, Melo’s opportunities have been scarce, although a hamstring injury sidelining McGinn for two months could present an opening for him to revitalize his Villa stint – bearing in mind that an additional seven appearances would obligate the club to secure his services permanently for a substantial fee.
Having faced criticism from Gerrard for his contribution in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in August, where the former Rangers manager highlighted the midfielder’s “lack of forward passing options,” Melo’s prospects at Villa appear uncertain.
Juventus had shown interest in acquiring Melo during the summer, with former Liverpool coach and current Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti expressing long-standing admiration for the player. Nevertheless, the Serie A side’s €25 million bid was turned down by Liverpool, leading to the loan arrangement with Villa.
Now, with the January transfer window approaching in less than a month, Juventus is no longer a viable option, nor is a return to Liverpool due to that solitary minute in a red shirt at Newcastle, leaving Melo trapped by FIFA’s regulations.
Consequently, barring an unforeseen breakthrough at Villa, Melo’s chances of participating in the World Cup have diminished, merely months after he had positioned himself favorably to secure a spot on the Brazil-bound plane.
