Santiago Mele left Avellaneda and arrived in Montevideo on Monday to join the Uruguay national team following Independiente’s qualification for the league playoffs, TyC Sports reported.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper secured the starting role under coach Jadson Viera during the decisive stretch of the tournament. Ole reported that Mele started the final three matches against Boca Juniors, Defensa y Justicia, and Deportivo Riestra.
Independiente secured their spot in the round of 16 with a victory against Deportivo Riestra. TyC Sports reported that Mele then traveled to join the Celeste squad ahead of Friday’s friendly match against Argentina at La Bombonera.
Estoy contento porque se logró la clasificación. Ojalá podamos hacer un buen papel,
Mele said upon arriving in Montevideo regarding the playoff berth, according to TyC Sports. He also thanked the coaching staff led by Jadson Viera for the trust they showed in him.
Ole reported that Uruguay will also face the Dominican Republic four days after the Argentina fixture. During Uruguay’s previous matches in Asia, Mele started in a 3-1 defeat against Japan.
Cristopher Fiermarín played in a 4-1 victory over South Korea, and Thiago Cardozo of Belgrano featured in a 6-1 win against India. Fiermarín of Bucaramanga in Colombia, Ignacio de Arruabarrena of Arouca in Portugal, and Sebastián Jaume of Albion in Uruguay complete the current list of goalkeepers alongside Mele.
Mele arrived at Independiente during the previous transfer window on a one-year loan from Monterrey, stepping into a challenging environment behind entrenched starter Rodrigo Rey, Ole reported. His debut came in a Copa Argentina defeat against Atlético Tucumán that led to the departure of former coach Gustavo Quinteros.
Before choosing Independiente, Mele weighed an advanced offer from Colo. Fue un privilegio que Colo se haya fijado en mí. Pero cuando surgió la chance de Independiente frenamos todo con Colo, que estaba todo encaminado, y decidí venir porque a nivel personal y deportivo me convencía,
Mele told Ole, adding that it was a semester with many highs and lows.
Fue una decisión que tomé con el corazón.
Decidí priorizando lo deportivo porque uno sueña estar en la selección y entiende que estando en las mejores ligas tiene más chances,
he added.
Uruguay faces Argentina on Friday, November 13, at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. Following the international break, Mele will return to Independiente to prepare for the round of 16 in the domestic playoffs.
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