Omar Jesús Merlo (Spanish pronunciation: [o'ma? 'me?lo], born 12 June 1987) is an Argentine-born Chilean footballer that currently plays for Peruvian club Sporting Cristal as a centre back.
Merlo made his first team debut for Colón in 2006, and quickly established himself as a regular member of the first team squad.
In February 2008, he signed up with powerhouse team River Plate, in where won the Torneo Clausura.
Seasons later, Merlo was a key player at the squad of Primera División club Huachipato that earned 2012 Torneo Clausura, scoring the winning penalty in the final.