Still playing! 37-year-old Spanish star Mata officially signed with Melbourne, Australia to win

37-year-old Spanish midfielder Juan Mata officially signed with Australian A League team Melbourne to win, opening a new chapter in his career.

Join Melbourne and start a new journey to the Australian Super League

Mata has signed a one-year contract with Melbourne. Before joining the new club, he played for another A-League team, Western Sydney Wanderers, but only won seven starts in the 2024/25 season, and his performance was not up to expectations.

At the press conference for Melbourne Victory, Mata said: "I won't ask for a chance to play just because of my name. I feel the energy and desire for victory. My goal here is clear - to help the team win honors, and to contribute to the long-term development of Australian football."

Glorious Career Review

Before landing in Australia, Mata's career was brilliant. He was a member of the Spanish national team's 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Cup champions, and scored his fourth goal in the 2012 European Cup final against Italy, helping the team win the championship 4-0. At the club level, Mata made his mark in Valencia and became one of the core teams. In 2011, he transferred to Chelsea, and during his time at Stamford Bridge, he won many important honors including the Champions League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.

In 2014, Mata joined Manchester United for a club record transfer fee of £37.1 million. He has played for many years in the Red Devils, helped the team win the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League championships, and is an important member of the team's midfield.

Since then, Mata has played for Galatasaray in Turkey and Kobe Victory Ship in Japan, accumulating rich overseas league experience. Today, he chooses to continue his football career in Australia, bringing experience and skills to the southern hemisphere.

From the Premier League giants to the A-League, Mata's career trajectory demonstrates his love and persistence for football. Although he has reached the end of his career, he still hopes to help Melbourne win and promote football locally through his own efforts. The story of this Spanish veteran is still written on the green field.