She has played 191[1] international matches for the Dutch national team, scoring 30 goals.

De Melo's debut match with the senior team was on 21 October 1997 against Germany, which ended in a 2–1 victory for the Netherlands.

In the Dutch national competition she has played for Tempo '34, HGC and HC Rotterdam.

In December 2006, she became Rotterdam Sportswoman of the Year and became the new face of the Rabobank in their Dutch TV advertisements.

Besides playing field hockey, de Melo also studied at the Erasmus University Rotterdam where she obtained an LL.M.