José Miguel Reis Melro was born in Santarém on 26 May 2004 and was formed locally, passing through Footkart, Académica de Santarém and União de Santarém. A prolific season for União de Santarém in 2021/22, in which he was credited with 40 goals in 28 matches, brought him to Benfica's attention, and he joined the Seixal academy in May 2022.

Left-footed and used both as a central striker and off the left, Melro progressed through the under-19 and under-23 sides before establishing himself in Benfica B. His 2024/25 campaign in the Liga Portugal 2 brought 32 appearances and six goals and earned him the Portuguese players' union award for the second division's best young player. He had already committed his future to the club in July 2024, signing until 2027 with a reported €60 million release clause, and was linked with a number of foreign clubs.

He added seven appearances and a goal in the first half of 2025/26 but was never called upon by the first team, and in February 2026 he transferred to Marítimo. He has represented Portugal at under-20 level.