Samvel was also a member of the Armenia national football team, participated in 29 international matches since his debut at home 2006 World Cup qualification match against the Netherlands on 3 September 2005.

Samvel began his professional career playing for Spartak Yerevan.

Melkonyan transferred to Ukrainian club Metalurh Donetsk in 2008, but his spell there was not successful and he returned to Banants the following year.

Melkonyan transferred to Chernomorets Burgas in Bulgaria in January 2012.

[1] He made his first appearance on 4 March 2012 and had one assist in a 2–0 win for the team against CSKA Sofia.