Juan Mata

Spanish playmaker who won the World Cup, European Championship, and Champions League.

Juan Manuel Mata García (born 28 April 1988) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League Men club Melbourne Victory. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger.

Quick Facts

Full name: Juan Manuel Mata García
Born: 28 April 1988
Birthplace: Burgos, Spain
Height: 1.70 m / 5 ft 7 in
Position: Attacking midfielder, winger
Current club: Melbourne Victory

Lore & Background

A graduate of Real Madrid's youth academy, Mata played for Real Madrid Castilla in 2006–07, before joining Valencia in the summer of 2007. He became an integral part of the club's midfield, making 174 appearances over the course of four seasons and winning the Copa del Rey. In 2011, Mata signed for English club Chelsea for a fee believed to be in the region of €28 million and established himself as the team's focal player. In his first two seasons, he won the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Europa League. Despite Mata's stature at the club, he fell out of favour at Chelsea under newly appointed manager José Mourinho and was sold to Manchester United in January 2014, for a fee of £37.1 million. He made 285 appearances over nine seasons at United, winning the Europa League and FA Cup again as well as the EFL Cup and FA Community Shield. He joined Galatasaray after his contract with United expired in the summer of 2022, where he won the first league title of his career. Mata debuted for Spain in 2009 and played at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, his first senior tournament. In September 2009, Mata scored his first goal for the senior team, against Estonia, securing the nation a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and was part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad. In 2011, he resumed playing in the under-21 side, helping Spain win the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark. He won the Golden Player award and was part of the Team of the Tournament. Mata returned to the senior squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and, after coming on as a substitute, scored Spain's fourth goal in the final as Spain defeated Italy 4–0 to retain their title as champions of Europe.

Reader's Guide

Benefitting from the chances from Vicente's injury problems and Ronald Koeman sidelining Miguel Ángel Angulo, Mata gradually carved a niche in Valencia's first eleven. On 20 March 2008, he scored twice in the Copa del Rey semi-final match against FC Barcelona to help Valencia reach the final against Getafe CF where, on 16 April, he scored the opener in a 3–1 win. During that first season, he was voted the team's Best Young Player by fans and players alike.

Did You Know?

Mata was born in Burgos, Castile and León, and raised in Oviedo, Asturias.
His father, Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez, was also a footballer and later acted as Mata's agent.
Mata enjoys table tennis in his spare time, a sport he played as a child.