MELBOURNE, Australia — While cities like Mandurah and Bunbury may be unfamiliar to most outside Australia, they are significant as the backdrop where Juan Mata’s latest career chapter unfolds. The 37-year-old Spaniard has taken a remarkable journey, marked by a World Cup triumph with Spain, a Champions League victory with Chelsea, and an FA Cup win with Manchester United. Now, he finds himself at a training camp with his new team, Melbourne Victory, in these lesser-known West Australian towns.
Mata had just returned to Australia after signing with Victory, following the end of his contract with the Western Sydney Wanderers after the 2024-25 A-League Men season. The signing process had been extensive, involving travel from Europe to San Diego, where he’s a part-owner of MLS team San Diego FC, before heading across the Pacific to Australia. He went straight from the airport to AAMI Park to finalize his contract and was introduced to the media at Federation Square.
Despite the long journey, he was eager to join his new team for preseason training.
“The travel was challenging, but it was essential for me to integrate into the team and get to know everyone,” Mata shared with ESPN. “Spending time together in a short camp really helps build relationships.”
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There were no luxury accommodations for the star; he shared a room with Socceroos defender Jason Davidson. The two reminisced about their encounter in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Davidson started and Mata made a substitute appearance in a 3-0 win for Spain.
“We did talk about the World Cup,” Davidson expressed. “We even reviewed some photos and laughed. We enjoyed watching the highlights from that match, reminding us of our younger selves.”
As he prepares for his first Melbourne Derby against crosstown rivals Melbourne City, Mata has adjusted to the new A-League season. After starting off the bench in the initial matches, he made his first start against Perth Glory, where he played in his preferred No. 10 position and scored his inaugural goal for the club. Victory kitman Johnny Nguyen aided his warm-up routine ahead of the game, showcasing his impressive skills, which other team members noted as “tekkers.” This could symbolize the start of a new pre-match ritual for Mata.
Mata makes his mark 🔥
Victory doubles their lead with Juan Mata scoring in his first start for @gomvfc
Watch #PERvMVC live on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/2s95rLFLAe
Former Premier League star Mata has drawn admiration from Victory coach Arthur Diles, who initially doubted Mata would be fit for the season opener. “You only have a limited number of matches in Australia,” Mata remarked with a chuckle, “and I aimed to be prepared as quickly as possible.”
Interestingly, Mata’s decision to join Victory surprised some, not due to a lack of notable players in the A-League, which has seen high-profile but aging players like Dwight Yorke, Alessandro Del Piero, and Luis Nani, but because he had just completed a less-than-stellar season at Western Sydney. Despite excitement for his arrival, Mata only managed 599 minutes of play last season and faced relegation to the bench by the time of the finals.
This lack of playing time became a hot topic, with Mata’s representative, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, criticizing the Wanderers as “disrespectful,” a comment that coach Alen Stajcic deemed “out of order” and “cowardly.”
Reportedly offered to Sydney FC at one point, it was apparent that Mata and Stajcic were not a good match. Following the Wanderers’ early playoff exit against Victory, many believed his time in Australia was coming to an end.
Given his previous experiences in Turkey, Japan, and with the Wanderers since leaving Manchester, along with his age and involvement in sports ownership, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Mata had decided to retire. With an impressive trophy haul behind him, he could easily feel content.
However, in an interview with ESPN, Mata expressed that he had no intention of stepping away from football just yet. He felt great, appreciated living in Australia, and, most importantly, still had a passion for the game.
“I wanted to demonstrate that I still enjoy football and can deliver a high level of performance,” he stated. “I didn’t want to conclude my career like that, without playing much and experiencing disappointment in the finals.
“The love for the game is still alive in me. As players, we learn that decisions are sometimes made beyond our control. We can only manage our behaviors, our attitudes, and our affection for the game. That responsibility lies with us and not with others. That’s advice I often share with younger players: don’t let others affect your passion for football. I always strive to maintain that mindset.”
Reflecting on his journey, Mata recalls how futbol has led him to some of the most prestigious arenas in the world. While the scenes may not be as grand as those at Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford, he has had enriching experiences in Turkey, Japan, Sydney, and now Melbourne. During his first encounter with the Melbourne press, he even inquired about the best local coffee spots, a delight he explored this week.
“Australia is a country that offers immense beauty and a relaxed lifestyle,” he remarked. “At this stage in my life and career, it felt like a perfect fit. I’m open to considering other countries in the future, but I don’t have anything in mind right now.”
Playing for clubs like the Wanderers and now the Victory, where football isn’t the primary sport and the pressures are more manageable, holds its own charm for Mata.
“It’s different. When you’re at big clubs, the expectations and responsibilities can overshadow the joy and passion you once felt for the game,” he explained. “That enjoyment can diminish under such pressure.
“I continually remind myself that I pursued football for the love of it, which nurtured my enthusiasm. I strive to return to that feeling I had as a child, watching my father play football.
“That’s why I’m still playing: purely for the enjoyment of the game. When I’m on the pitch, whether in training or a match, that joy is what drives me.”