If there’s one thing Jonas Melda doesn’t like about football, it’s interviewing. On the field, he looks full of confidence, not ashamed to pass players, sometimes between the legs, or take a ball and kick even from uncomfortable angles. But outside? This is an introverted guy, who some would even define as insecure. Maybe because of his young age (21), or maybe because he went through a different childhood from others, but from childhood he always overcame difficulties, and he also succeeded in this interview.
These are exciting days for the boy who grew up in Kiryat Bialik, started his career in football at Maccabi Tzur Shalom and signed yesterday (Friday) for four and a half years in Ghent, the Belgian luxury club. The signing of a contract with Dudu Dahan opened the door for him to Belgium, a place where the Israeli agent is in control, but all this would not have helped if he had not opened this season at Maccabi Netanya perfectly. In the season when Slobodan Drapic and Shai Barda left their foster son Betar, Netanya reaped the rewards and enriched the bank account.
Seven goals and 2 assists in 14 games, including a four in one game against Sakhnin for a 21-year-old, is exactly what impressed Ghent. Close monitoring of the Belgians revealed data on speed, strength, good ball control, and a player who is regularly invited to the wide squad of the Israeli team. Or in other words – a diamond that can be polished and sold for a few more years at a higher price. Dahan, who has already signed players in Ghent, has a very high profile in Belgium. And after he was recommended, in Ghent they watched and hence the road was smoother.
Melda, as mentioned, grew up in Kiryat Bialik. Coach Idan Bar-On (not that of Maccabi Herzliya), discovered him in the neighborhood and brought him to Maccabi Bialik Tzur Shalom. “From the age of 11 I could see the magic he has in understanding the game, in his natural movement and in a character that combines quiet and positive cheekiness on the grass,” says Bar-On. “I saw him play with children in the neighborhood and invited him to practice. As a professional, I have no doubt “In the national team. He is a regional pride for us and the proof that even worthy and talented players come out of clubs that are defined as small.”
From there he moved to Hapoel Haifa, but there it worked out less. Bnei Lem, then a professional manager in the youth department of Maccabi Netanya, received a phone call from the Reds in Carmel who asked to ask a goalkeeper for the youth team. Lem agreed on the condition that Melda, who then played for boys A, be transferred to Diamonds for free. The agreement was signed and the young talent left his parents’ house and moved to a ‘youth’ boarding school. Insiders will testify that this change caused Melda to take football more seriously. “I deserve to reach those levels,” says Melda. “That’s where I aimed and I always believed and invested. Things don’t just happen. That’s my reward. I don’t want to stop. I came to prove myself and progress as much as possible.”
Tell about the first phone call that informs you that there is a situation you are signing in Belgium
“It was at the end of Saturday, my agent Dudu Dahan called me and told me there was progress with Ghent. I was excited, but happy at heart. I said I would not fool myself and I did not tell anyone. It’s like the VAR in football, I did not want to celebrate before the goal.”
It is said that his uncle Dahan followed you when you were still at Hapoel Haifa at the age of 15
“Dudu Dahan believed in me from the first moment. Even when I was a player in the boys. I saw what he was doing with players and I realized he was the man who could bounce my career. It was important to me even if the signing was not Saturday, an hour before signing, The paperwork before Shabbat begins here in Belgium. “
For quite a few people, your transition is surprising
“For me no. I have aimed for Europe all my life and I think they have always seen my talent, but I have never been the favorite in the media. If in Corona’s time such sums are paid for a player, it means a lot. If it was in normal time it could reach perhaps large sums. “I did not do crazy things in the Israeli league, so maybe that’s why it seems strange or surprising to people, but not me at all. I know what I’m worth.”
Netanya suffered a professional blow
“Maccabi Netanya is my home and everything for me. They always believed in me, nurtured me, took care of me and gave me the credit. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
With Raymond Atfeld replacing you in the 20th minute against Maccabi Haifa, did you manage to talk?
“Good things are happening in Netanya thanks to him, without taking down what Slobodan Drapic and Shai Barda did with me and the club. This exchange? He probably prepared me for Europe.”
In a week from birth he will get a work permit, and until then he is training with the new friends. Shirt number 11 was busy and he chose number 23
“I was received in an amazing way. It was a fun workout on the one hand, and on the other hand also weird because it’s something new, I got excited. I arrived at the compound with Michael Jordan’s shoe, number 23, and they said ‘okay, from now on you are number 23’, so I said sorry “.
Probably at home happy
“My parents are happy and happy for me. We have been waiting for this for so long. My potential is suitable for better leagues and I believe I will go far. In our league it is a little harder because games are often very defensive. In Belgium there are areas and I can make better use of my advantages. I did not grow up with a teaspoon of gold in my mouth, now I can also give back to my parents and help them financially. “
How much are you building on?
“The president of the club, Ivan de Vita, saw my own games and together with the reports of the scouts and analysts, chose me. I know they talked to other Israelis who played in Ghent and did a thorough job.
