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{{short description|Australian soccer player (born 1980)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Melissa Barbieri
| image          = Melissa Barbieri (cropped).jpg
| image_size     = 
| caption        = 
| fullname       = Melissa Anne Barbieri
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1980|1|20}}
| birth_place    = [[Melbourne]], Australia
| height         = 1.68 m<ref name="fifa" />
| position       = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]], midfielder
| currentclub    = [[Melbourne City FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne City]] (player, assistant manager)
| clubnumber     = 23
| youthyears1    = 1994
| youthclubs1    = South Melbourne
| youthyears2    = 1995
| youthclubs2    = Doncaster
| youthyears3    = 1996–1997
| youthclubs3    = Brunswick
| youthyears4    = 1998
| youthclubs4    = Ringwood
| years1         = 1996–1998
| clubs1         = [[Victorian Institute of Sport|ITC Victoria]]
| caps1          = 12
| goals1         = 1
| years2         = 1999–2008
| clubs2         = [[Victorian Institute of Sport|Victoria Vision]]
| caps2          = 55
| goals2         = 0
| years3         = 2008
| clubs3         = [[Richmond SC]] (men)
| years4         = 2008–2011
| clubs4         = [[Melbourne Victory FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne Victory]]
| caps4          = 28
| goals4         = 0
| years5         = 2011–2012
| clubs5         = [[Newcastle Jets FC (A-League Women)|Newcastle Jets]]
| caps5          = 9
| goals5         = 0
| years6         = 2012–2013
| clubs6         = [[Box Hill United SC#Women's Team|Box Hill United]]
| caps6          = 10
| goals6         = 0
| years7         = 2013–2015
| clubs7         = [[Adelaide United FC (A-League Women)|Adelaide United]]
| caps7          = 24
| goals7         = 0
| years8         = 2015–2016
| clubs8         = [[Melbourne Victory FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne Victory]]
| caps8          = 11
| goals8         = 0
| years9         = 2016
| clubs9         = [[Taroona FC|Taroona]]
| caps9          = 1
| goals9         = 0
| years10         = 2016
| clubs10         = [[Heidelberg United FC|Heidelberg United]]
| years11         = 2017–2023
| clubs11         = [[Melbourne City FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne City]]
| caps11          = 36
| goals11         = 0
| years12         = 2023
| clubs12         = [[Southern United FC|Southern United]]
| caps12          = 1
| goals12         = 0
| years13         = 2024–2025
| clubs13         = [[Melbourne City FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne City]]
| caps13          = 3
| goals13         = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2002–2015
| nationalteam1  = [[Australia women's national soccer team|Australia]]
| nationalcaps1  = 86
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1  = 2016–2017
| managerclubs1  = [[Heidelberg United FC|Heidelberg United]] (women)
| manageryears2  = 2018–present
| managerclubs2  = [[Melbourne City FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne City]]
| pcupdate       = 11 May 2025
| ntupdate       = 18 June 2015
}}

'''Melissa Hudson''' {{nee}} '''Melissa Anne Barbieri''' (born 20 February 1980) is an Australian soccer [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] who has played for [[Melbourne City FC (A-League Women)|Melbourne City]] in the [[A-League Women]]. From 2002 she represented the [[Australia women's national soccer team]] (Matildas) and was captain from 2010 to 2013. She competed at four [[FIFA Women's World Cup]] tournaments ([[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup|2003]], [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup|2007]], [[2011 FIFA Women's World Cup|2011]], [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup|2015]]). After 86&nbsp;caps, Barbieri retired from international football in June 2015 and set the record for the most [[Shutout#Association football|clean sheets]] by any Matildas keeper, at 34.

Barbieri was named A-League Women's [[A-League Women Golden Glove|Goalkeeper of the Year (Golden Glove)]] for the [[2008–09 W-League|2008–09]] and [[2013–14 W-League|2013–14]] seasons. As from June 2025 she was playing for Melbourne City and had become the longest-serving professional soccer player in Australian history with 28&nbsp;years in league teams.

==Early years==
Barbieri was born in Melbourne on 20 February 1980 to Italian-born parents, her mother is Nory Barbieri.<ref name="fifa">{{cite web|title=List of Players – Australia|url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|access-date=13 June 2025 |date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617011925/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2015 }}</ref>{{rp|1}}<ref name="Migliaccio" /><ref name="Clark" /> From eight&nbsp;years old she regularly played in boys' teams, where her brothers had played.<ref name="Clark">{{cite web |url=http://cleansheetfootball.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/clean-sheet-catching-up-with-keeper.html |title=Melissa Barbieri 'Catching up with a keeper' |author=Clark, James |website=Clean Sheet |date=14 January 2013 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170302121402/http://cleansheetfootball.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/clean-sheet-catching-up-with-keeper.html |archive-date=2 March 2017 |access-date=14 June 2025 }}</ref> The goalie later recalled, "I would always go to their trainings and be a nuisance for all the coaches" until they let her play.<ref name="Clark" /> Upon turning ten she was excluded from playing in boys teams, so she gave up soccer.<ref name="Clark" /> Barbieri resumed playing as a 14&nbsp;year-old when her mother found a women's team for her.<ref name="SMH" /><ref name="Matildas Bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.matildas.org.au/melissa_barbieri.htm |title=Melissa Barbieri |website=[[Australia women's national soccer team|Matildas]] |date=22 August 2004 |via=[[National Library of Australia]] |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060819033303/http://www.matildas.org.au/melissa_barbieri.htm |archive-date=19 August 2006 |access-date=13 June 2025 }}</ref> She achieved a scholarship with the [[Victorian Institute of Sport]] (VIS).<ref name="SMH">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/barbieri-set-to-break-the-code/2007/03/02/1172338890085.html |title=Barbieri set to break the code |access-date=21 April 2008 |date=3 March 2007 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] (AAP) |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109143255/http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/barbieri-set-to-break-the-code/2007/03/02/1172338890085.html |archive-date=9 January 2009 }}</ref>

==Playing career==
===Club and state career===
Barbieri began playing youth soccer as a midfielder in 1994 for [[National Premier Leagues Victoria|Victorian Premier League]] teams: South Melbourne (1994), Doncaster, Brunswick (1996–97), Moorabbin, Ringwood (2000) and Box Hill (2001).<ref name="Matildas Bio" /> She also played as a senior for VIS-sponsored ITC Victoria (Victoria Intensive Training Centre, later known as Victoria Vision) during the 1996–97 and 1997–98 seasons in the [[Women’s National Soccer League]].<ref name="Matildas Bio" /><ref name="Aussie Footballers">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/BAL.html |title=Aussie Footballers - Balta to Baro |website=ozfootball.net |date=May 2019 |access-date=18 June 2025 }}</ref> Her first senior game was on 21 February 1997 for ITC Victoria in a 0–2 loss against [[Sport in South Australia#High performance sport|SA Sports Institute]].<ref name="WNSL 9697">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/WNSL/199697WNSLR.html |title=Women's National Soccer League - 1996-97 Season Results |first=Peter |last=Georgaras |first2=Tony |last2=Persoglia |website=ozfootball.net |date=28 May 2021 |access-date=19 June 2025 }}</ref> Barbieri scored her first goal for ITC Victoria in February 1998 in their 4–1 win against the same team.<ref name="WNSL 9798">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/WNSL/199798WNSLR.html |title=Women's National Soccer League - 1997-98 Season Results |first=Peter |last=Georgaras |first2=Tony |last2=Persoglia |website=ozfootball.net |date=1 June 2021 |access-date=19 June 2025 }}</ref> In 1999 she had a [[Pulled hamstring|hamstring tendinitis injury]], which restricted playing in the outfield, she switched to goalkeeping.<ref name="Matildas Bio" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pfa.net.au/1v1/1v1-with-melissa-barbieri/ |title=1v1 with Melissa Barbieri |publisher=[[Professional Footballers Australia]] (PFA) |date=27 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411161430/http://pfa.net.au/1v1/1v1-with-melissa-barbieri/ |archive-date=11 April 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Barbieri leaves Matildas">{{Cite web |url=https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/barbieri-calls-time-westfield-matildas-career |title=Barbieri calls time on Westfield Matildas career |date=24 September 2015 }}</ref> Her coach at VIS, until 2003, was [[Jane Oakley]].<ref name="Matildas Bio" /> Her state appearances include Victorian State Junior Team 1994-96, Victorian State Youth Team 1994-99 and Victorian State Senior Team 1998.

She played for [[Richmond SC]] mens side during 2008, becoming the first female to play in the Australian semi-professional men's league.<ref name="SMH" /> Also in that year, she was approached by the United States football team, [[Boston Renegades]].<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/print.aspx?CIID=107134|title=Boston Mad For Barbs |access-date=21 April 2008 |last=Ritson |first=John |date=1 April 2008 |magazine=FourFourTwo |archive-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001033856/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/print.aspx?CIID=107134|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the Boston management eventually pursued this no further for the remainder of the season, due to Barbieri's commitments to the Australian national team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://australianfootball.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/interview-with-melissa-barbieri/ |title=Interview with Melissa Barbieri|access-date=21 April 2008|author=Cheng, Peng |date=18 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422190703/http://australianfootball.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/interview-with-melissa-barbieri/ |archive-date=22 April 2008 }}</ref>

Barbieri signed for [[Melbourne Victory W-League|Melbourne Victory]] for the inaugural season of the W-League (later [[A-League Women]]) in [[2008–09 W-League|2008–09]].<ref name="Soccerway Bio">{{Cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/melissa-barbieri/19471/ |title=Summary - Melissa Barbieri - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos |website=Soccerway |access-date=13 June 2025 }}</ref> She won the [[A-League Women Golden Glove|Goalkeeper of the Year award (Golden Glove)]] in that season. After the [[2010%E2%80%9311 W-League|2010–11]] season she transferred to [[Newcastle Jets FC (women)|Newcastle Jets]] for [[2011–12 W-League|2011–12]].<ref name="Soccerway Bio" /> Thereafter she was loaned to [[Adelaide United FC (women)|Adelaide United]] for [[2013–14 W-League|2013–14]].<ref name="Soccerway Bio" /> While at Adelaide, she won a second Golden Glove award.<ref name="awards201314">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-28/broich-wins-a-league-media-award/5416894|title=Thomas Broich wins A-League's Johnny Warren medal for a second time|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=29 April 2014}}</ref>

In July 2016, Barbieri signed a deal to play one game as a guest for [[Taroona FC|Taroona]] in the Tasmanian Women's Super League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/article/matildas-legend-melissa-barbieris-one-off-guest-stint-in-tasmania/pdhaixfwz4fd18krc6abws1d7|title=Bubs' one-off guest stint in Tasmania|first=Aidan|last=Ormond|publisher=[[Football Federation Australia]]|date=18 July 2016}}</ref> In that year Barbieri announced her retirement from soccer after an [[anterior cruciate ligament injury]] (ACL), while playing for [[National Premier Leagues Victoria Women]] team, [[Heidelberg United FC|Heidelberg United]].<ref name="Pugh" /> In November 2017, Barbieri (as Melissa Hudson) came out of retirement to join [[Melbourne City FC (W-League)|Melbourne City]] on an injury replacement contract, after one of their goalkeepers, [[Emily Shields (footballer)|Emily Shields]] broke her wrist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2017/11/melissa-hudson-joins-melbourne-city-as-injury-replacement/ |title=Melissa Hudson joins Melbourne City as injury replacement |publisher=The Women's Game |date=2 November 2017 }}</ref> As of June 2025, Barbieri has played 110 A-League Women's games including her ninth season for Melbourne City in [[2024–25 Melbourne City FC (women) season|2024–25]].<ref name="Soccerway Bio" /><ref name="WorldFoot A-League">{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/melissa-barbieri/2/ |title=Women A-League Women » Club Matches |website=worldfootball.net |date=June 2025 |access-date=15 June 2025 }}</ref> At 44 (in 2024) she was the oldest Australian professional league's soccer player (male or female) ever, with 27&nbsp;years in various teams.<ref name="Ironmonger">{{Cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830092418/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/she-s-the-oldest-player-in-history-how-this-former-tillies-captain-does-it-at-44-20240823-p5k4rx.html |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/she-s-the-oldest-player-in-history-how-this-former-tillies-captain-does-it-at-44-20240823-p5k4rx.html |title=She’s the oldest player in history. How this former Tillies captain does it at 44 |first=Lauren |last=Ironmonger |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 August 2024 |access-date=15 June 2025 |archive-date=30 August 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===International career===
Barbieri was selected for the Australian Schoolgirls Team in 1996. She was named for the [[Australia women's national soccer team]] (Matildas) training squad in 1997 as a midfielder, but made her debut in goals for them in September 2002 for a friendly away game against [[Canada women's national soccer team|Canada]], which Australia won 0-1 in [[Victoria, British Columbia]].<ref name="ASA 1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/reports/vCAN2002b.html |title=Canada v Australia report by ASA |last=[[Football Australia#History|Australian Soccer Association]] (ASA) |website=ozfootball.net |date=September 2002 |access-date=13 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326150240/http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/reports/vCAN2002b.html |archive-date=26 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Esamie 2002">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2002A.html |title=Matildas 2002 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=13 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612230526/http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2002A.html |archive-date=12 June 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October they competed in the [[2002 Women's U.S. Cup|US Cup]], where Matildas finished second behind the hosts and Barbieri kept [[Shutout#Association football|clean sheet]]s in their victories against [[Russia women's national football team|Russia]] and [[Italy women's national football team|Italy]].<ref name="Esamie 2002" />

In January–February 2003 Barbieri joined the Matildas' squad as reserve goalie behind [[Claire Nichols]] for the fifth [[Australia Cup (1999%E2%80%932004)#2003|Australia Cup]], held in [[Canberra]].<ref name="Esamie 2003" /><ref name="AusCup 2003" /> However, she remained on the substition bench for all three games.<ref name="Esamie 2003" /><ref name="AusCup 2003">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/squads/Jan2003.html |title=Squads for 2003 Australia Cup |website=ozfootball.net |date= |access-date=29 June 2025 }}</ref> As a member of [[Oceania Football Confederation]] (OFC), the Matildas competed at the [[2003 OFC Women's Championship]], also in Canberra, in April. The team won all four of their games, without concding a goal and hence won the championship.<ref name="Esamie 2003">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2003A.html |title=Matildas 2003 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=14 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614062045/http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2003A.html |archive-date=14 June 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="RSSSF 2003OC">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/oc-women02.html |title=Oceania's Women's Championship 2003 (Australia) |first= Sébastien |last=Duret |first2=Andre |last2=Zlotkowski |first3=Hervé |last3=Morard |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=8 December 2005 |access-date=14 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614062038/https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/oc-women02.html |archive-date=14 June 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> The tournament was the Oceania qualifier for that year's [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup|FIFA Women's World Cup]].<ref name="Esamie 2003" /><ref name="RSSSF 2003OC" /> At World Cup, with two losses and a draw, the Matildas finished at the bottom of [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|Group D]].<ref name="Esamie 2003" /> In the following year they won the [[2004 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament]], a round-robin held in [[Fiji]] in March.<ref name="Esamie 2004">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2004A.html |title=Matildas 2004 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=15 June 2025 }}</ref> At the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2004 Summer Olympics]] in [[Athens]] in August, the Matildas reached the quarter-finals for the first time, but lost against [[Sweden women's national football team|Sweden]].<ref name="Esamie 2004" /><ref name="technical report">{{cite book |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/c383bb9f8a8095a8/original/Athen04_Umschlag-Rep_new-indd.pdf |title=Report and Statistics – Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 |publisher=[[FIFA]] |year=2004 |access-date=5 February 2021 |location=[[Zürich]] }}</ref>

Australia left the OFC for the [[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC) in 2006. Barbieri played in the [[2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup]], which was held in Australia.<ref name="Esamie 2006">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2006A.html |title=Matildas 2006 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=14 June 2025 }}</ref> The Matildas reached the final against [[China women's national football team|China]], which the visitors won after a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]].<ref name="Esamie 2006"/> By finishing second Australia qualified for the [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup|2007 World Cup]].<ref name="Esamie 2006"/><ref name="FFA AFC report">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/reports/vCHN2006c.html |title=Australia v China report by FFA |last=Football Federation of Australia |via=ozfootball.net |date=30 July 2006 |access-date=14 June 2025 }}</ref> At the latter tournament in China, the Matildas reached the quarter-finals, where they lost against [[Brazil women's national football team|Brazil]] 3–2.<ref name="Esamie 2007">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2007A.html |title=Matildas 2007 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=15 June 2025 }}</ref> On 19 February 2010, Barbieri was named captain of the Matildas following the 2009 retirement of [[Cheryl Salisbury]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/westfield-matildas-face-dpr-korea-brisbane |title=Westfield Matildas to face DPR Korea in Brisbane |publisher= [[Football Federation Australia]] |date=20 February 2010}}</ref> She led them to victory at the [[2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup]], held in China.<ref name="Esamie 2010">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2010A.html |title=Matildas 2010 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=15 June 2025 }}</ref> In the final against [[North Korea women's national football team|North Korea]] Australia scored first, but the opposition equalised and, with a 1–1 draw after extra time, the game went to a penalty shoot-out, which the Matildas won 4–5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/4107 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214201228/http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/4107 |title=AFC Women's Asian Cup 2010: Final |year=2017 |publisher=[[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC) |access-date=15 June 2025 |archive-date=14 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918005040/http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/joomleague/?view=report&compID=369&matchId=2613 |url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/joomleague/?view=report&compID=369&matchId=2613 |title=Official Home of Asian Football |publisher=Asian Football Confederation (AFC) |archive-date=18 September 2012 }}</ref>

Barbieri captained Australia for the [[2011 FIFA Women's World Cup]], held in Germany in June-July, the Matildas reached the quarter-finals where they lost against Sweden (3–1).<ref name="Esamie 2011">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2011A.html |title=Matildas 2011 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=15 June 2025 }}</ref><ref name="FFA 2011 WWC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/reports/vSWE2011a.html |title=Australia v Sweden report by FFA |last=FFA |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=16 June 2025 }}</ref> In September of that year the Australians competed in the final round of AFC qualifiers for [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's Asian Qualifiers|2012 Summer Olympics]], which were held in China.<ref name="Esamie 2011" /> Two losses (against Japan and North Korea) resulted in their elimination from the Olympic qualifiers.<ref name="Esamie 2011" /> Ahead of having her first child, Barbieri was dropped from the Matildas,<ref name="Nicholson">{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210032644/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/matildas-goalkeeper-melissa-barbieri-retires-from-international-soccer-20150924-gjtv6u.html |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/matildas-goalkeeper-melissa-barbieri-retires-from-international-soccer-20150924-gjtv6u.html |title=Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri retires from international soccer |first=Larissa |last=Nicholson |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=10 February 2019 |date=24 September 2015 |access-date=29 June 2025 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> and was eventually replaced as captain by [[Kate Gill]] and [[Clare Polkinghorne]], in May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 May 2013 |title=Polkinghorne honoured by Matildas captaincy |url=https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/polkinghorne-honoured-matildas-captaincy |access-date=16 June 2025 |publisher=[[Football Australia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410212100/https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/polkinghorne-honoured-matildas-captaincy |archive-date=10 April 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2015, national coach [[Alen Stajcic]] controversially cut number&nbsp;one goalkeeper, [[Brianna Davey]] from Australia's [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup]] squad and recalled Barbieri for her fourth World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |title=Matildas omit top scorer Kate Gill from Women's World Cup squad |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-12/matildas-name-23-player-squad-for-womens-world-cup/6463466 |access-date=7 November 2015 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=12 May 2015}}</ref name="Hassett">{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/kate-gill-and-brianna-davey-dumped-from-world-cup-squad-as-melissa-hudson-returns-20150512-ggziwg.html |title=Kate Gill and Brianna Davey dumped from World Cup squad as Melissa Hudson returns |author=Hassett, Sebastian |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 May 2015 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150513005336/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/149950/20150513-1000/www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/kate-gill-and-brianna-davey-dumped-from-world-cup-squad-as-melissa-hudson-returns-20150512-ggziwg.html |archive-date=13 May 2015 |access-date=16 June 2025 }}</ref> At that tournament, held in Canada in June-July, Barbieeri was in goals for the first game, which Australia lost against [[United States women's national soccer team|United States]].<ref name="Esamie 2015">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/2015A.html |title=Matildas 2015 Matches |first=Thomas |last=Esamie |website=ozfootball.net |access-date=16 June 2025 }}</ref> Thereafter she was replaced by [[Lydia Williams]] and the Matildas reached the quarter-finals for the first time at a World Cup.<ref name="Esamie 2015" /> After that tournament Barbieri retired from international soccer,<ref name="Nicholson" /> with 86 caps and setting the record at 34 for most clean sheets of any Matilda goalkeeper.<ref name="Barbieri leaves Matildas" /><ref name="matildas_retirement_foxsports">{{cite news |title=Melissa Barbieri retirement: Matildas veteran goalkeeper retires from international football |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/breaking-news/melissa-barbieri-retirement-fourtime-world-cup-matildas-veteran-retires-from-international-football/news-story/3ed09b14b1fb7024b67015da5a2062cf |access-date=3 November 2020 |publisher=Fox Sports|date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="FFA Barbieri retires">{{cite web |url=http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/article/melissa-barbieri-retires-from-westfield-matildas/1sxr0tiw8152l14fnmjfzc8u21 |title=Melissa Barbieri retires from Westfield Matildas |author=staff writer |date=24 September 2015 |publisher=Football Australia |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160326025642/http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/article/melissa-barbieri-retires-from-westfield-matildas/1sxr0tiw8152l14fnmjfzc8u21 |archive-date=26 March 2016 |access-date=16 June 2025 }}</ref> Barbieri explained her decision, "I'm very proud of what I've achieved over the years. I came into the sport as a child being told women don't play football and grew up in an Italian household where women predominantly stayed at home and looked after the kids and certainly didn't venture out into a male dominated sport, so I feel like I've broken down a lot of barriers becoming a footballer."<ref name="FFA Barbieri retires" />

==Coaching career==
Barbieri was appointed coach of [[Heidelberg United FC|Heidelberg United]]'s women's team in October 2016.<ref name="Pugh">{{cite web |url=http://www.cornerflag.com.au/coach-barbieri-ready-to-prove-herself-all-over-again/ |title=Coach Barbieri ready to prove herself all over again |website=The Corner Flag |first=Lucas |last=Radbourne-Pugh |date=14 October 2016 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20190322214952/http://www.cornerflag.com.au/coach-barbieri-ready-to-prove-herself-all-over-again/ |archive-date=23 March 2019 |access-date=14 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/sport/former-matildas-skipper-and-goalkeeping-star-named-heidelberg-uniteds-new-womens-national-premier-league-coach/news-story/243a5966076bfcd0dab87fb4aca52bcb |title=Former Matildas skipper and goalkeeping star named Heidelberg United's new Women's National Premier League coach |newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=23 October 2016 |access-date=26 October 2016 |author=Turner, David }}</ref> In July 2018, Barbieri (as Hudson) was appointed as an assistant coach of A-League Women team, [[Melbourne City FC (W-League)|Melbourne City]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Michael |title=Victory sign King Kenny, City bring in Rado Vidosic and Kalac |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/victory-sign-king-kenny-city-bring-in-rado-vidosic-and-kalac-20180618-p4zm8y.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525035741/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/victory-sign-king-kenny-city-bring-in-rado-vidosic-and-kalac-20180618-p4zm8y.html |archive-date=25 May 2019 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Barbieri is popularly referred to as '''Bubs''' by family, players and in the media.<ref name="WLeague 2014">{{cite web |url=http://www.w-league.com.au/article/barbieri-balances-ball-and-bubs/1iq1uzpghkcxa11p5cseujnqj0 |title=Melissa Barbieri balances ball and ‘Bubs’ |publisher=[[A-League Women|W-League]] |date=2014 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170306041025/http://www.w-league.com.au/article/barbieri-balances-ball-and-bubs/1iq1uzpghkcxa11p5cseujnqj0 |archive-date=6 March 2017 |access-date=18 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="Greco">{{cite web |url=http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/article/bubs-backs-matildas-to-bounce-back/1hvf3w5tpqv2x17ov4s77oyz7i |title=Melissa Barbieri backs Matildas to bounce back at World Cup |publisher=Westfield Matildas |author=Greco, John |date=10 June 2015 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160313112234/http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/article/bubs-backs-matildas-to-bounce-back/1hvf3w5tpqv2x17ov4s77oyz7i |archive-date=13 March 2016 |access-date=18 June 2025 }}</ref> She was on the cover of the ''[[FourFourTwo (Australia)|Australian FourFourTwo]]'' magazine in June 2011, along with fellow Matildas [[Thea Slatyer]], [[Sam Kerr]], [[Kyah Simon]] and [[Sarah Walsh]]. On 30 May 2025 [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) posted a documentary, ''History Makers: The Story of the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup'', on Football Australia's official YouTube channel. It features Barbieri and teammates with coach Sermanni from their Asian Cup victory 15&nbsp;years earlier.<ref name="Doco 2025">{{Cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-30/new-matildas-doco-sheds-light-on-game-changing-asian-cup-win/105357296 |title=Matildas' Women's Asian Cup title win in 2010 inspires new documentary |website=ABC News |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] AAP |date=30 May 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Barbieri married Geoff Hudson in 2007 and the couple's first child was born in 2013.<ref name="Migliaccio">{{cite web |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/exmatildas-skipper-melissa-barbieri-to-stick-with-adelaides-lady-reds-but-daughter-holly-will-stay-in-melbourne/news-story/bf6b3cd00eb9c7e1ee915b563504cf16 |title=Ex-Matildas skipper Melissa Barbieri to stick with Adelaide’s Lady Reds but daughter Holly will stay in Melbourne |website=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|Adelaide Now]] |author=Migliaccio, Val |date=15 August 2014 |via=[[National Library of Australia]] |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170412154522/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/exmatildas-skipper-melissa-barbieri-to-stick-with-adelaides-lady-reds-but-daughter-holly-will-stay-in-melbourne/news-story/bf6b3cd00eb9c7e1ee915b563504cf16 |archive-date=13 April 2017 |access-date=12 June 2025 }}</ref><ref name="matildas_retirement_foxsports" /><ref name="Hoath 2">{{Cite web |url=https://womensoccer.com.au/matilda-goal-keeper-barbieri-bows-to-motherhood/ |title=Matilda goal keeper Barbieri bows to motherhood |website=WomenSoccer.com.au |first=Penny Tanner |last=Hoath |date=23 August 2012 |access-date=13 June 2025 }}</ref> Upon announcing her pregnancy in late 2012, she was dropped from the Matildas' line-up and lost her funding.<ref name="Adno">{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318144804/https://www.codesports.com.au/football/matildas/baby-on-board-katrina-gorrys-return-to-football-four-months-after-intense-ivf-experience/news-story/9ae3af43aa059ac64c4445e3b6615441 |url=https://www.codesports.com.au/football/matildas/baby-on-board-katrina-gorrys-return-to-football-four-months-after-intense-ivf-experience/news-story/9ae3af43aa059ac64c4445e3b6615441?nk=fcc3f8797667eae24dbe6c9aacc558e6-1647501739 |title=Katrina Gorry’s return to football four months after IVF pregnancy, Matildas, Brisbane Roar |website=CODE Sports |first=Carly |last=Adno |archive-date=18 March 2022 |date=9 February 2022 |access-date=29 June 2025 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Due to lack of maternity support and being dropped by Melbourne Victory, she had to give up league soccer for a year.<ref name="Ironmonger" /><ref name="Hawk">{{cite web |url=http://www.mamamia.com.au/social/melissa-barbieri-matildas/index.html |title=Melissa Barbieri has to auction off her personal items to play soccer |author=Hawk, Natalia |website=mamamia.com.au |date=16 November 2013 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150209013825/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/99361/20150202-0939/www.mamamia.com.au/social/melissa-barbieri-matildas/index.html |archive-date=9 February 2015 |access-date=29 June 2025 }}</ref> Her transfer to Adelaide required Barbieri to sell off personal memorabilia to maintain her playing career.<ref name="Hawk" /> The couple's second child was born by 2016.

She completed a Diploma of Recreation (Sports Admin) and worked for VIS in Sports Administration in 2004.<ref name="Matildas Bio" /> During 2012 Barbieri was completing a Coaching A Licence.<ref name="Hoath 2" />

==Honours==
===Country===
;[[Australia women's national soccer team|Australia]]
* [[OFC Women's Nations Cup]]: [[2003 OFC Women's Championship|2003]]
* [[AFC Women's Asian Cup]]: [[2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup|2010]]
* [[AFF Women's Championship]]: [[2008 AFF Women's Championship|2008]]

===Individual===
* [[W-League (Australia)|W-League]] Goalkeeper of the Year: [[2008–09 W-League|2008–09]], [[2013–14 W-League|2013–14]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-league.com.au/article/bubs-risk-pays-off-and-shuts-up-the-haters/t8czlf45elvs1t4jzh33b7gmy|title=Bubs' risk pays off and shuts up the haters|publisher=[[Football Federation Australia]]|date=29 April 2014}}</ref>
* [[Football Victoria|Football Federation of Victoria]] Hall of Fame: 2015.<ref name="FFV 2015">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/hall-of-fame/ |title=Hall of Fame |publisher=[[Football Victoria|Football Federation Victoria]] |date=2016 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170228082323/http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/hall-of-fame/ |archive-date=28 February 2017 |access-date=18 June 2025 }}</ref>
* [[Professional Footballers Australia]] (PFA) Alex Tobin OAM Medal: 2023<ref name="PFA 2023">{{cite web |url=https://pfa.net.au/player-awards/melissa-barbieri-to-receive-alex-tobin-oam-medal/ |title=Melissa Barbieri to receive Alex Tobin OAM Medal |publisher=[[Professional Footballers Australia|The PFA]] |date=26 June 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archiveurl=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20241026234008/https://pfa.net.au/player-awards/melissa-barbieri-to-receive-alex-tobin-oam-medal/ |archive-date=27 October 2024 |access-date=18 June 2025 }}</ref>
* Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) [[PFA Footballer of the Year Awards#A-League Women Team of the Season|A-League Women Team of the Year]]: 2021–22<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/pfa-names-a-league-womens-team-season |title=PFA names A-League Women's Team of the Season |publisher=Football Australia |date=26 March 2022 |access-date=18 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326040817/https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/pfa-names-a-league-womens-team-season |archive-date=26 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{FIFA player|191926}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121011062527/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009Matildas/default.aspx?s=aus_matildas_player_profiles_playerprofile_new&pid=434&tid=97 Football Federation Australia player profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110219140702/http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/default.aspx?s=wleague_profile&pid=434&tid=269 Melbourne Victory player profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070903152538/http://www.vis.org.au/profile.asp?profileID=926&personTypeID=1&ToPage=profilesbysport.asp Victorian Institute of Sport profile]
{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Cheryl Salisbury]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Australia women's national soccer team|Australia]] captain|years=2009–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Clare Polkinghorne]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Melbourne City FC (W-League) squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Australia squads
| bg    = #FFE605
| fg    = #005800
| list1 = 
{{Australia squad 2003 OFC Women's Championship}}
{{Australia Squad 2003 Women's World Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2004 Summer Olympics (Women's Football)}}
{{Australia squad 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2007 Women's World Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2011 Women's World Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
}}
{{W-League Golden Glove}}
{{2021–22 A-League Women PFA Team of the Season}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barbieri, Melissa}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:2011 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:2015 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian sportswomen]]
[[Category:Adelaide United FC (women) players]]
[[Category:Australia women's international soccer players]]
[[Category:Australian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Australian soccer managers]]
[[Category:Australian women's soccer players]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Melbourne City FC (women) players]]
[[Category:Melbourne Victory FC (women) players]]
[[Category:Newcastle Jets FC (women) players]]
[[Category:Olympic soccer players for Australia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Sportswomen from Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Victorian Institute of Sport alumni]]
[[Category:Women's association football goalkeepers]]