Juan Mata signs for Melbourne Victory, former Manchester United and Chelsea star eyes 'longer-term plan to strengthen football' in Australia
Published 16/09/2025 at 09:01 GMT+1
UEFA Champions League winner Juan Mata has signed for A-League side Melbourne Victory. The 37-year-old joins Victory from fellow Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers, who he helped to a fourth-placed finish last season. Mata is looking to lift a trophy in his fifth country, having already won silverware in England, Spain, Turkey and Japan, as well as winning the World Cup and Euros with Spain.
How the UEFA Champions League works - format explained and changes through the years
Video credit: TNT Sports
Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has joined A-League side Melbourne Victory.
The 37-year-old most recently played for Western Sydney Wanderers, helping them to a fourth-placed finish in the A-League last season.
Mata has an impressive CV, having starred for Spain and won major trophies at Chelsea, United, Valencia, Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.
In 2010, he was part of the Spain side that won their first World Cup, in South Africa. Two years later, he scored his nation’s fourth goal in the 4-0 final win over Italy to win the 2012 European Championship.
Mata was a product of the Real Madrid youth setup, but he made the move to Valencia after a season with Real Madrid Castilla, aged 19.
Whilst in southern Spain, Mata won the Copa del Rey and after four seasons, he moved to the Premier League with Chelsea.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/16/image-9f901395-0feb-46c2-8d17-f63d73b576ee-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Juan Mata celebrates Champions League success with Frank Lampard in 2012.
Image credit: Getty Images
He was an instant hit for The Blues, playing a major part in winning the FA Cup and their first UEFA Champions League success in the 2011/12 season, taking the decisive corner headed in by Didier Drogba to send the final against Bayern Munich to extra time.
He did then miss his penalty in the subsequent shootout, but fortunately for him, Petr Cech and the post made that miss immaterial, and Drogba slotted the fifth penalty on one of Chelsea’s greatest nights.
- Exclusive: David Raya pinpoints what’s ‘going to make a big difference’ for Arsenal in UCL
- YOU DECIDE: Who will win 2025/26 UEFA Champions League?
- How to watch and live stream Athletic Club v Arsenal in the Champions League
It was the following season that Mata was at his very best, scoring 20 goals and assisting 35 in a truly sensational season in London, in which Chelsea won the UEFA Europa League and Mata was crowned Chelsea Player of the Season for the second consecutive year.
A move to Manchester United followed, where he again enjoyed a trophy-laden spell, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League. Mata also won league titles whilst at Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.
Speaking on joining Victory, Mata said: "I am excited to be coming to Melbourne and to be part of one of the most respected clubs in the League and playing in front of the incredible members and fans.
"I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies, and to work with the Club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country."
On securing the services of such a talented player, Victory head coach Arthur Diles said: "We are incredibly fortunate to add someone of Juan’s experience and character to the squad.
"We are excited to welcome him into the changeroom, where we have no doubt his leadership and knowledge of the game will elevate the whole team."
"Juan’s playing ambitions for this season and his long-term history of success with the game, align perfectly with the way we want to play for our chance to win trophies this season."
Watch the Premier League, Men's and Women's FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement