Biography
Joining Melbourne Victory for the 2025/26 season, Juan Mata is a Spanish attacking midfielder with one of the most decorated careers in world football.
Signed by giants Real Madrid as a 15-year-old from Real Oviedo, Mata’s performances in Los Blancos’ youth ranks earned him a move to fellow La Liga side, Valencia CF.
The Burgos-born wizard would star for Valencia, breaking into Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad and earning a move to Chelsea FC in 2011, where he would lift the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup within his first season as the Blues’ Player of the Year.
In 2012, Mata would notably score in the UEFA European Championship Final against Italy as Spain would go on to lift the title.
Mata’s 2012/13 campaign with Chelsea would go on to be his most impressive individual season, finishing with a remarkable 20 goals and 35 assists in all competitions, and capping it all off with a UEFA Europa League trophy at the end.
Manchester United would be Mata’s next destination, signing for a club-record fee in 2014.
Playing a total of 285 games for the Red Devils, Mata would win an FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and Europa League for United.
Mata has since gone on to win league titles in Turkey and Japan, before arriving in Australia last season and joining Victory in September 2025, scoring his first goal for the Boys in Blue against Perth Glory.
The 38-year-old would put together a truly memorable campaign, recording five goals and 13 assists in 24 games, Mata would be crowned as the league’s Johnny Warren medallist, while also taking home the 2026 Victory Medal.
Club Career
2006-07 Real Madrid Castilla (SPA)
2007-11 Valencia CF (SPA)
2011-14 Chelsea FC (ENG)
2014-22 Manchester United (ENG)
2022-23 Galatasaray (TUR)
2023-24 Vissel Kobe (JAP)
2024-25 Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)
2025- Melbourne Victory (AUS)
International Career
Spain: Senior, Olympic, U21, U20, U19, U17 & U16
No stats available
