Euro 2012 winner Juan Mata is staying in Australia, but with a new destination. The Spanish playmaker has signed for Melbourne Victory after departing A-League rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mata moved to Australia in September 2024 after a brief spell in Japan, where he made just one appearance for J.League 1 side Vissel Kobe. His first A-League Men campaign saw him feature 23 times for the Wanderers, scoring once and providing three assists as they finished fourth before crashing out in the first round of the finals series.
Now, the former Chelsea and Manchester United star will spend another year Down Under — this time with last season’s runners-up, Melbourne Victory, who narrowly lost 1-0 to cross-town rivals Melbourne City in the grand final.
Victory boss Arthur Diles welcomed the veteran midfielder’s arrival, saying on the club’s website, “We are incredibly fortunate to add someone of Juan’s experience and character to the squad. His leadership and knowledge of the game will be invaluable, and we’re confident he will help elevate the entire team.”
Mata’s résumé is one of the most decorated in world football. A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain, he made 82 league appearances for Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, scoring 18 times and assisting 27, winning the Champions League, FA Cup, and Europa League along the way.
He then moved to Manchester United, where he played 196 league games, bagged 34 goals, and laid on 27 assists, helping the club lift the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Europa League. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, only five players have made more league appearances for United — David de Gea, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, and Bruno Fernandes.