Néstor José Merlo (born 31 July 1960 in Buenos Aires) is a retired Argentine football goalkeeper. Merlo began his playing career in 1983 in the Argentine 2nd division with Deportivo Español, he joined Arsenal de Sarandí in 1984 and then Chaco For Ever in 1986. In 1988 Merlo was signed by Boca Juniors of the Primera División but he only ever played two games for the club in the Copa Libertadores before returning to Chaco For Ever after their promotion to the Primera in 1989.