Ionel Melinte (born 31 January 1996) is a Romanian rugby union football player.

He plays as a fullback for professional Le Rugby Club Hyères La Crau Carqueiranne.

[1][2] Ionel Melinte started playing rugby as a youth for CS Cleopatra Mamaia at age 16 and after three years he moved to Bucharest to finish his junior years with giants Steaua.

[3] In November 2018, Melinte was called for Romania's national team, the Oaks, being part of the 34 man squad assembled in preparation for a match against the Os Lobos held for the Relegation/Promotion Play-Off of the 2018 Rugby Europe Championship, making his test debut on this occasion.

[4][5] This biographical article relating to Romanian rugby union is a stub.