Football Victoria Hall of Fame member Melissa Barbieri has signed on with Melbourne City for the upcoming A-League Women’s season as a playing assistant coach.
Barbieri has proved once again age is just a number, as she embarks on her 26th year as a professional footballer.
The goalkeeping legend described Melbourne City as her “home” and said there was never any doubt in her mind that she wanted to continue playing.
“A professional environment with good people who make working hard easy is what keeps me coming back,” Barbieri told the Melbourne City website.
“Helping to add silverware to the trophy cabinet is a big motivating factor for me, and I’m excited to see the group grow from 2021/22 and the disappointment we felt after not coming away with any trophies.”
The Football Victoria commentator is an iconic name in Australian football, having featured for the Westfield Matildas in 86 competitive matches.
During her time in the green and gold, Barbieri captained the Westfield Matildas to the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2010 triumph and has represented Australia at four FIFA Women's World Cups.
Barbieri has played a prominent role in the Westfield W-League, winning the goalkeeper of the year on numerous occasions, and most recently was part of Melbourne City's championship-winning sides in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Since her debut for ITC Victoria in 1996, Barbieri has competed in an incredible 18 seasons across the Women's National Soccer League, A-League, and NPL.
Barbieri said she surprised herself that she was capable of playing professional football at 42 years of age.
“I have always taken each year as it comes, and you just build on it and suddenly you look back on it and it is 25 years,” she said.
“So many milestones have happened in terms of I can’t believe this is happening.
“I think this is the culmination of all those small moments coming together.
“I certainly thought I would be playing, just not professionally.”
Melbourne City Head Coach Rado Vidosic said it was ‘fantastic’ to have Barbieri return to the club.
“The experience and leadership she brings to our group is invaluable and she’s really just a great person to have involved as part of our program,” he said.
“She clearly showed last season that she can still contribute to a very high level on the pitch when called upon, so we expect her to again challenge to be our number one goalkeeper this season.”
Barbieri said the biggest change she has seen over her playing career was the perception of the women’s game.
“I would walk into a hotel in my uniform, and someone would always say in the lift; oh I didn’t know girls played soccer,” she explained.
She would continually get asked if she played volleyball or netball, although she would frustratingly reiterate, she was a footballer.
“Now when you get into the lift the recognise Melbourne City and say good luck on the weekend,” she said.
“That is a huge difference for me because being able to now tell the youngsters coming through that this is a job and this is something you can do.
“A lot of people don’t think it is a real job, but yes, it is we make real money, it pays the bills.
Barbieri encouraged young players coming through to have fun and enjoy the moment.
“Don’t let success get to your head or failure get to your heart,” she said.
“Stop and look around and see how far you have come every now and then because sometimes when you are looking towards the future all the time you forget to look back and see how far you’ve come.”
Barbieri has made a total of 92 A-League Women’s appearances, with 20 of those coming after joining Melbourne City in 2017.