Santiago Andrés Mele Castañero, born September 6, 1997, is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays goalkeeper.
He plays for the Categoría Primera A club Atlético Junior, on loan from Plaza Colonia, and is also a part of the Uruguay national team.
Here, you can follow Santiago Mele’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, girlfriend, career overview, and more.
Santiago Mele’s Biography
| Full name | Santiago Andrés Mele Castañero |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Birth date | September 6, 1997 |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Birthplace | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Current net worth | $5 Million |
| Relationship status | In a relationship |
| Girlfriend | Manuela |
| Instagram profile | @santimele1 |
He started his football journey at a young age and has since made a name for himself in professional football.
His impressive goalkeeping skills have earned him recognition and respect in the football community.
Club Career
Fénix (2013–2017)
Santiago Mele began his professional career at Fénix in Uruguay, making his debut on August 30, 2016, in a 1–0 loss to Cerro. He made a total of 6 appearances for the club during his time there.
Osmanlıspor (2017–2020)
Mele signed a five-year deal with Turkish club Osmanlıspor in 2017. However, he struggled for playing time and was loaned out to Ankaragücü and Spanish side Lleida Esportiu, where he also saw limited action. He eventually debuted for Osmanlıspor on August 17, 2019, in a 2–1 win against Boluspor.
Plaza Colonia (2020–2022)
Returning to Uruguay, Mele joined Plaza Colonia, where he revitalized his career with consistent performances. Over two seasons, he made 40 league appearances and was named to the Uruguayan Primera División Team of the Year in 2021.
Unión de Santa Fe (Loan: 2022–2023)
Mele moved to Argentina on loan with Unión de Santa Fe. Across two seasons, he made a total of 38 league appearances and became a reliable presence in goal.
Junior FC (2023–Present)
Mele joined Junior FC in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A on January 3, 2024. In his debut season (2024), he played all 38 league matches and helped the team secure significant success, including winning the 2023 Clausura title.
International Career
Youth Teams
Mele represented Uruguay at various youth levels. He was part of the U-20 squad that won the 2017 South American U-20 Championship and finished fourth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup the same year. He also participated in the 2019 Pan American Games with the U-22 team.
Senior Team Debut
Santiago Mele made his senior international debut for Uruguay on March 28, 2023, in a friendly against South Korea, which Uruguay won 2–1.
Copa América (2024)
Mele was included in Uruguay’s squad for the 2024 Copa América, where the team secured third place. Although not always the first-choice goalkeeper, his inclusion highlighted his growing reputation at the international level.
Mele continues to play a key role for both Junior FC and the Uruguay national team as of February 2025.
Girlfriend
Santiago Mele is currently dating Manuela. It is unknown when they started dating, but their photos show their relationship growing. Mele prefers to keep his love life away from the media.
Santiago Mele’s Net Worth Details
Santiago Mele’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional footballer, endorsements, and other sources.
Contract and Salary
Santiago Mele is currently contracted to Junior FC in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A league.
| Club | Contract Duration | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary | Contract Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior FC | January 3, 2024 – December 31, 2026 | £6,000 | £312,000 | December 31, 2026 |
Career Earnings
| Club | Season(s) | League | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fénix | 2013–2017 | Uruguayan Primera División | 6 | 0 |
| Osmanlıspor | 2018–2020 | TFF First League (Turkey) | 13 | 0 |
| Ankaragücü (loan) | 2017–2018 | TFF First League (Turkey) | 0 | 0 |
| Lleida Esportiu (loan) | 2017–2018 | Segunda División B (Spain) | 0 | 0 |
| Plaza Colonia | 2020–2021 | Uruguayan Primera División | 40 | 0 |
| Unión (loan) | 2022–2023 | Argentine Primera División | 38 | 0 |
| Atlético Junior (loan) | 2023 | Categoría Primera A (Colombia) | 20 | 0 |
Career Stats
| Year | Matches Played | Saves | Clean Sheets |
| 2023 | 29 | 31 | 6 |
FAQs
1. Who is Santiago Mele?
Santiago Mele is a professional footballer from Uruguay who plays as a goalkeeper. Born on September 6, 1997, in Montevideo, he currently plays for Junior FC in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A league and represents the Uruguay national team.
2. What position does Santiago Mele play?
Santiago Mele is a goalkeeper. He is known for his versatility, playing as a traditional line keeper, sweeper keeper, and ball-playing keeper, showcasing strong reflexes and positioning.
3. What clubs has Santiago Mele played for?
Mele began his career at Fénix in Uruguay and later played for Osmanlıspor (Turkey), Plaza Colonia (Uruguay), Unión de Santa Fe (Argentina), and Junior FC (Colombia). He has also had loan stints at Ankaragücü (Turkey) and Lleida Esportiu (Spain).
4. What are Santiago Mele’s notable achievements?
Mele was part of Uruguay’s U-20 team that won the 2017 South American U-20 Championship. Individually, he was named to the Uruguayan Primera División Team of the Year in 2021 and earned third place with Uruguay in the 2024 Copa América.
5. When did Santiago Mele make his international debut?
Santiago Mele made his senior debut for the Uruguay national team on March 28, 2023, in a friendly match against South Korea, which Uruguay won 2–1.
6. What is Santiago Mele’s current market value?
Santiago Mele’s market value is estimated to be between €1.4 million and €2.2 million, reflecting his consistent performances at both club and international levels.
7. What are Santiago Mele’s physical attributes?
Santiago Mele stands at 1.85 meters (6 feet) tall and weighs approximately 79 kilograms (174 pounds). His height and agility make him an effective goalkeeper.
8. What is Santiago Mele’s contract status with Junior FC?
Santiago Mele signed with Junior FC on January 3, 2024, on a contract that runs until December 31, 2026. His weekly salary is reported to be £6,000.
9. Has Santiago Mele played in any major tournaments?
Yes, he represented Uruguay in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup and was part of the senior squad for the 2024 Copa América, where Uruguay secured third place.
10. What jersey number does Santiago Mele wear?
Santiago Mele wears jersey number 77 for Junior FC in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A league.
