Juan Mata has lit up the A-League this season as Spaniard proves class is permanent

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 26 Jan 2026 09:19 CST
• 5 min read

Nieuws

They say form is temporary and class is permanent and that's certainly true for Juan Mata who has lit up the A-League with his performances for Melbourne Victory this campaign.

Mata is one of the most celebrated forwards of the last 15 years in Europe and in his career so far has played for Real Madrid Castilla, Valencia, Chelsea, Manchester United, Galatasaray, Vissel Kobe, Western Sydney Wanderers and now Melbourne Victory, whom he joined in September of 2025.

At 37-years-old, he's undoubtedly in the twilight of his career and although the pace may not be what it used to, the Spaniard's technical prowess makes him one of the best players currently performing in the Australian top-flight.

Juan Mata has THREE assists in the Big Blue and it’s 𝟒-𝟎 @gomvfc 🤯🔥

What a time for Lachie Jackson to get his first Victory goal - and what a celebration!

Stream #MVCvSYD live and exclusive NOW on Paramount+ AEDT 📺 pic.twitter.com/Gy1qZ7iLBY

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) January 26, 2026

It wasn't an easy start for Mata as he only scored one goal and recorded zero assists in his first seven matches with Victory. But, since the middle of December he's turned the screw and posted seven assists in his last seven matches.

A hat-trick of those assists game in the one match as Victory impressively defeated Sydney FC 4-0 at AAMI Park.

Remarkably, Mata could actually have recorded five assists in the game as two of his deliveries from corners ended up in the Sydney net only for them both to be overturned by VAR following an offside for the first and a handball for the third.

He would eventually help the hosts break the deadlock in the 53rd minute when he quickly swivelled in possession inside the centre circle before sliding a pass into the path of Clarismario Santos, who finished the move with a cracking strike into the top right corner.

His second assist was a deft touch to team-mate Keegan Jelacic, who sent a left-footed curler into the same spot as the opener.

Mata's third and final assist of the day came in the 82nd minute as his corner-kick was headed home by Lachlan Jackson.

He now has seven assists in the league - more than anyone else.

"He's not a bad player," Melbourne Victory manager Arthur Diles joked after the game.

"He's doing very well. We're very happy to have him. You can see he's enjoying his football."

On 3rd January, Victory came from behind to beat Perth Glory 3-2 and Mata was again instrumental in that victory, with two assists to his name on that occasion.

Diles was again full of praise for his Spanish star.

“He’s beautiful to watch," the head coach said.

"We get to watch him every day at training; people only get to watch him on game day. It’s a delight to watch him on a daily basis because what he does in the game, he does every day.

“It’s no different for him, whether it’s Monday, Friday, Thursday, minus one game day, he’s the same player every day, with the same mentality, the same work ethic.

“I’d like for him to score, because he came close tonight. That’s the icing on the cake for him. But as long as he keeps assisting, the team will be better, and he’s enjoying himself.”

Even though Mata is edging towards retirement, he clearly still has the skill and ability required to be a top player in Australia and the sky could be the limit for Victory with him pulling the strings.

Mata to invest in the A-League?

Prior to signing with Melbourne Victory, Mata was linked with purchasing a stake in struggling Central Coast Mariners.

He previously told ESPN that he is open to investing in the A-League.

"I explored investing in the A-League," he said. "I had some conversations with different clubs and the league. And I'm still open for that. I really believe that there are important things in Australia, for football, that can grow.

"I understand the financial challenges that the league is facing, and the clubs. And I see that the only way is up. If I can contribute in any form to the development and the growth of that, I will do it happily, because I think it's it will be very good for Australian fans to go to the games in the A-League and not only follow football from afar.

"I have the feeling that so many people follow football here, but they follow the Premier League or the Spanish league, right? And it's tough with the time difference. So hopefully that love for the game can be translated into growing numbers for the A-League.

"So yes, I have been [interested in investing] and I'm still open to that. But it's not my priority. My priority is to, you know, to play [for Victory]."

What has Juan Mata won in his career?

Admired by his peers as well as pundits, Mata has enjoyed an illustrious career that includes a Champions League win, a World Cup win and a European Championships win.

While playing for Chelsea, he was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year in 2012/13 and in that same campaign was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year.

Valencia

Copa del Rey (2008/08)

Chelsea

FA Cup (2011/12)

Champions League (2011/12)

Europa League (2012/13)

Man Utd

FA Cup (2015/16)

League Cup (2016/17)

Europa League (2016/17)

Galatasaray

Super Lig (2022/23)

Vissel Kobe

J1 League (2023)

Spain

World Cup (2010)

European Championships (2012)

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