Juan Mata

{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1988)}}

{{for|his father|Juan Mata (footballer, born 1964)}}

{{pp-pc}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}

{{family name hatnote|Mata|García|lang=Spanish}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Juan Mata

| image = Juan Mata 2024.png

| caption = Mata with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2024

| full_name = Juan Manuel Mata García{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|4|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Burgos, Spain

| height = 1.70 m{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4287/Juan-Mata/overview |title=Premier League Player Profile Juan Mata |publisher=Premier League |access-date=21 September 2017}}

| position = Attacking midfielder, winger

| currentclub = Western Sydney Wanderers

| clubnumber = 64

| youthyears1 = 2000–2003

| youthclubs1 = Real Oviedo

| youthyears2 = 2003–2006

| youthclubs2 = Real Madrid

| years1 = 2006–2007

| clubs1 = Real Madrid Castilla

| caps1 = 39

| goals1 = 9

| years2 = 2007–2011

| clubs2 = Valencia

| caps2 = 129

| goals2 = 33

| years3 = 2011–2014

| clubs3 = Chelsea

| caps3 = 82

| goals3 = 18

| years4 = 2014–2022

| clubs4 = Manchester United

| caps4 = 196

| goals4 = 34

| years5 = 2022–2023

| clubs5 = Galatasaray

| caps5 = 16

| goals5 = 3

| years6 = 2023–2024

| clubs6 = Vissel Kobe

| caps6 = 1

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2024–

| clubs7 = Western Sydney Wanderers

| caps7 = 18

| goals7 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2004

| nationalteam1 = Spain U16

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2004

| nationalteam2 = Spain U17

| nationalcaps2 = 2

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2006–2007

| nationalteam3 = Spain U19

| nationalcaps3 = 13

| nationalgoals3 = 12

| nationalyears4 = 2007

| nationalteam4 = Spain U20

| nationalcaps4 = 5

| nationalgoals4 = 3

| nationalyears5 = 2007–2011

| nationalteam5 = Spain U21

| nationalcaps5 = 20

| nationalgoals5 = 5

| nationalyears6 = 2012

| nationalteam6 = Spain Olympic

| nationalcaps6 = 4

| nationalgoals6 = 0

| nationalyears7 = 2009–2016

| nationalteam7 = Spain

| nationalcaps7 = 41

| nationalgoals7 = 10

| club-update = 15 March 2025

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ESP}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|FIFA World Cup}}

{{Medal|W|2010 South Africa|}}

{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Championship}}

{{Medal|W|2012 Poland–Ukraine|}}

{{MedalCompetition|FIFA Confederations Cup|}}

{{Medal|RU|2013 Brazil|}}

{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}}

{{Medal|W|2011 Denmark|}}

{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}}

{{Medal|W|2006 Poland|}}

}}

Juan Manuel Mata García (born 28 April 1988) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for A-League Men club Western Sydney Wanderers. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger.

A graduate of Real Madrid's youth academy, Mata played for Real Madrid Castilla in 2006–07, before joining Valencia in the summer of 2007. He became an integral part of the club's midfield, making 174 appearances over the course of four seasons and winning the Copa del Rey. In 2011, Mata signed for English club Chelsea for a fee believed to be in the region of €28 million and established himself as the team's focal player.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Tom |title=Underrated Seasons: 5 Individual Campaigns That Deserve a Bit More Credit |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2893784-underrated-seasons-5-individual-campaigns-that-deserve-a-bit-more-credit |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Bleacher Report}} In his first two seasons, he won the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Europa League.

Despite Mata's stature at the club, he fell out of favour at Chelsea under newly appointed manager José Mourinho and was sold to Manchester United in January 2014, for a fee of £37.1 million. He made 285 appearances over nine seasons at United, winning the Europa League and FA Cup again as well as the EFL Cup and FA Community Shield. He joined Galatasaray after his contract with United expired in the summer of 2022, where he won the first league title of his career.

Mata debuted for Spain in 2009 and played at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, his first senior tournament. In September 2009, Mata scored his first goal for the senior team, against Estonia, securing the nation a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and was part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad. In 2011, he resumed playing in the under-21 side, helping Spain win the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark. He won the Golden Player award and was part of the Team of the Tournament. Mata returned to the senior squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and, after coming on as a substitute, scored Spain's fourth goal in the final as Spain defeated Italy 4–0 to retain their title as champions of Europe.

Early life

Mata was born in Burgos, Castile and León.{{cite web|url=http://www.rfef.es/index.jsp?nodo=39&ID=3995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209231402/http://www.rfef.es/index.jsp?nodo=39&ID=3995|archive-date=9 December 2013|title=La culminación del sueño de seis Campeones de Europa|trans-title=The culmination of a dream for six champions of Europe|publisher=rfef.es|date=26 August 2011}} He inherited his name from his father, Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez, who was also a footballer, playing as a forward for nearby Burgos CF in the 1980s and early 1990s. Mata was raised in his father's home town of Oviedo, Asturias. His father later acted as Mata's agent, becoming FIFA-registered in the process.[http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/08/05/1423346/mata-could-buy-out-valencia-contract-to-complete-barcelona Mata could buy out Valencia contract to complete Barcelona move]. goal.com (5 August 2009){{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/03/1361140/barcelona-to-move-for-valencias-juan-mata-report|title=Barcelona To Move For Valencia's Juan Mata – Report|first=Lucas|last=Brown|publisher=goal.com|date=3 July 2009|access-date=2 July 2014}} In his spare time, Mata enjoys table tennis, a sport he played as a child.{{cite web|url=http://www.juanmanuelmata.com/matabio.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301052037/http://juanmanuelmata.com/matabio.htm|archive-date=1 March 2009|title=Juan Manuel Mata's biography|publisher=Juan Mata|language=es|access-date=7 February 2008}}

Club career

=Early career=

Mata started his football career at Real Oviedo in 2000,{{cite web |url=https://juanmata8.com/bio/ |title=Bio |website=juanmata8.com |access-date=5 November 2022}} where his father spent part of his career, before joining Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica, in 2003 at the age of 15.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/nov/29/real-oviedo-spain-premier-league |title=Real Oviedo – the remarkable story of a club the world united to save |work=The Guardian |date=29 November 2012 |access-date=4 November 2022}} After appearing for their Cadete A team, he then swiftly progressed through the junior teams, Juvenil C and finally Juvenil A. In his last campaign (2005–06), he scored two goals in the league and three more in the Copa de Campeones, including the winner in the final against Real Valladolid, adding another three in the Copa del Rey Juvenil.

Switching to Real Madrid Castilla in 2006–07, Mata was given the number 34 shirt in the first team, while wearing number 28 in Castilla. In spite of Castilla's final Segunda División relegation, he finished the season as the side's second best scorer with nine, behind striker Álvaro Negredo, who registered 18.

=Valencia=

File:Juan Manuel Mata García.jpg in 2009]]

Mata had a release clause at Real Madrid during his last season at the club, and eventually agreed to sign for fellow La Liga side Valencia CF in March 2007, with the contract starting on 30 June 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/valencia/es/desarrollo/750885.html|title=El Valencia le quita al Real Madrid al prometedor y cotizado Mata|trans-title=Valencia steals promising, highly rated Mata from Real Madrid|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=17 March 2007|access-date=7 February 2008}}

Benefitting from constant injuries to Vicente and the ostracism to which then-manager Ronald Koeman condemned Miguel Ángel Angulo, Mata gradually carved a niche in Valencia's first eleven. On 20 March 2008, he scored twice in the Copa del Rey semi-final match against FC Barcelona to help Valencia reach the final against Getafe CF[https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cb-0f84d2bd4641-091345128295-1000--mata-seizes-final-chance-for-valencia/ Mata seizes final chance for Valencia]; UEFA, 20 March 2008 where, on 16 April, he scored the opener in a 3–1 win.[https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cc-0f84d6aba216-f6437c0be3f0-1000--morientes-glad-as-valencia-get-relief/ Morientes glad as Valencia get relief]; UEFA, 16 April 2008 During that first season, he was voted the team's Best Young Player by fans and players alike.

File:Juan Mata taronja.jpg

In the 2008 Spanish SuperCup, Mata scored against his former club Real Madrid in a 3–2 first leg win, but Valencia lost 5–6 on aggregate after a 2–4 away loss in the second game. He started 2008–09 well, scoring in the opener against RCD Mallorca in a 3–0 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/253096/gamecast.html|title=Valencia 3–0 Mallorca|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=30 August 2008|access-date=2 July 2014}} He also scored the only goal of the game against CA Osasuna, latching on to a long ball from David Villa.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/252834/gamecast.html|title=Valencia 1–0 Osasuna|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=21 September 2008|access-date=2 July 2014}}

On 25 September 2008, Mata proved to be growing in efficiency, as he set up two of his teammate's goals in a 2–0 away win over Málaga CF.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/252768/gamecast.html|title=Málaga 0–2 Valencia|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=25 September 2008|access-date=2 July 2014}} Three days later, he put in a superb performance against Deportivo de La Coruña, scoring one and creating the other three, in a 4–2 home victory.[https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01d1-0f84e6efe8a5-829218430792-1000--villa-goals-ensure-valencia-victory/ Villa goals ensure Valencia victory]; UEFA, 28 September 2008

Towards the end of the campaign, Mata managed to score two very important late goals for Valencia: the first, the 3–2 winner at Sporting de Gijón,{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/252826/gamecast.html|title=Sporting Gijon 4–3 Valencia|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=12 April 2009|access-date=2 July 2014}} and the second a penalty against Sevilla FC at home, to put Valencia 2–1 up (specialist Villa had already been replaced due to injury) in an eventual 3–1 success.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/253093/gamecast.html|title=Valencia 3–1 Sevilla FC|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=19 April 2009|access-date=24 May 2011}} He achieved impressive stats during the season, finishing with 11 successful strikes and 13 assists, behind just Barcelona's Xavi as the league's best.

In the following two seasons, Mata was an ever present offensive figure for Valencia, scoring 17 goals in 68 league games combined, with the club achieving back-to-back third-league places. On 10 April 2011, he scored two in a 5–0 home win against Valencian neighbours Villarreal CF.{{cite web|url=http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?main&20110411&56&747493|title=Valencia put five past Villarreal|publisher=RTHK|date=10 April 2011|access-date=2 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714161043/http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?main&20110411&56&747493|archive-date=14 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/302117/gamecast.html|title=Valencia 5–0 Villarreal|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=10 April 2011|access-date=2 July 2014}} On 9 May, England-based Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué reported interest from several Premier League clubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=293&titulo=Liverpool,%20City%20and%20Manchester%20United%20show%20interest%20in%20Mata |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081306/http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=293&titulo=Liverpool%2C%20City%20and%20Manchester%20United%20show%20interest%20in%20Mata |archive-date=26 April 2012 |title=Liverpool, City and Manchester United show interest in Mata |publisher=Guillem Balague |date=9 May 2011 |access-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}

=Chelsea=

==Transfer==

On 21 August 2011, Valencia announced they had agreed a £23.5 million fee for the transfer of Mata to Premier League club Chelsea, subject to a medical.{{cite web|url=http://www.valenciacf.com/ver/16298/comunicado-oficial.html|title=Official announcement|publisher=Valencia CF|date=21 August 2011 |access-date=2 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14600979|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Valencia agree to sell Juan Mata to Chelsea |date=21 August 2011|access-date=21 August 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2427778 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130804060834/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2427778 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2013 |title=Mata Deal Agreed |publisher=chelseafc.com |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=2 July 2014 }} On 24 August 2011, Mata signed a five-year deal with Chelsea.{{Cite news|date=24 August 2011|title=Juan Mata completes move to Chelsea from Valencia|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14656464|access-date=8 July 2020}} He revealed that compatriot Fernando Torres helped persuade him to move to Stamford Bridge, saying "Fernando got me excited about the thought of coming here. He said it would be good for me here, and that me and him together could be good. I also talked to my family and friends about it as well."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14656464|title=Juan Mata completes move to Chelsea from Valencia|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2011|access-date=14 July 2016}}

On 26 August 2011, Yossi Benayoun offered Mata his number 10 shirt, saying "I decided to give Mata the number 10 – his favourite. For me, it's just a number, not my lucky 15." (Florent Malouda wore number 15 for Chelsea at the time.) Mata wore number 10 for Valencia and for Spain's under-21s in the summer, and expressed his gratitude to Benayoun. "It is a very important number to me so I'm pleased to be wearing it. I want to thank Yossi," he said.[https://twitter.com/juanmata10/status/107019559587942401 Juan Mata Tweet]. Twitter. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011. Mata followed on from Chelsea players Joe Cole, Mark Hughes, Ian Hutchinson, and Terry Venables in adopting the number 10 shirt.{{cite news |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2433219 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140706180440/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2433219 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 July 2014 |title=Mata to take 10 |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=2 July 2014 }}

==2011–13: European success==

File:Juan Mata & Jerome Boateng.jpg defender Jérôme Boateng in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final]]

Mata made his debut for Chelsea against Norwich City on 27 August 2011, where he came on as a 68th-minute substitute for Florent Malouda and scored the club's third goal in the 11th minute of stoppage time. Chelsea went on to win the match 3–1.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14600575 |title=Chelsea 3–1 Norwich City |publisher=BBC |date=27 August 2011 |access-date=1 December 2021 }} He started his first game for his new club in their next fixture on 10 September away to Sunderland, helping Chelsea secure a 1–2 win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14773097|title=Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea|work=BBC Sport }} On 14 September, Mata made his UEFA Champions League debut for Chelsea and scored in stoppage time to help his side defeat Bayer Leverkusen 2–0.[http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/331226/gamecast.html Gamecast: Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen – UEFA Champions League – ESPN Soccernet]. Soccernet.espn.go.com (13 September 2011). Retrieved 2 July 2014.

On 29 October 2011, Mata assisted Chelsea's 6,000th league goal with an in-swinging cross which was headed in by Frank Lampard. In the same game, Mata scored with a spectacular 25-yard strike in a 3–5 home defeat to London rivals Arsenal.[http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2498531 Match report: Chelsea 3 Arsenal 5] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125012637/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2498531 |date=25 November 2013 }}. Chelsea FC. Retrieved 2 July 2014. On 26 November, Mata set up the first two goals which were scored by John Terry and Daniel Sturridge and also scored the third goal himself in a 3–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/26/chelsea-wolverhampton-wanderers-premier-league|title=Chelsea 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League match report|date=26 November 2011|website=The Guardian}} He was awarded the Man of the Match in a 0–3 away win at St James' Park for his performance against Newcastle United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15901588|title=Newcastle 0–3 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 December 2011}}

On 6 December 2011, during Chelsea's decisive Champions League match against former club Valencia CF, Mata created two assists for both of Didier Drogba goals. The game ended in a 3–0 win, which resulted in Chelsea qualifying first from their group.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/8938689/Didier-Drogbas-double-keeps-Chelseas-Champions-League-dream-alive.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/8938689/Didier-Drogbas-double-keeps-Chelseas-Champions-League-dream-alive.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |location=London |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Didier Drogba's double keeps Chelsea's Champions League dream alive |date=7 December 2011 }}{{cbignore}} On Boxing Day, Mata scored his side's only goal in a 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Fulham.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8973158/Chelsea-1-Fulham-1-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8973158/Chelsea-1-Fulham-1-match-report.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |location=London |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Jason |last=Burt |title=Chelsea 1 Fulham 1: match report |date=26 December 2011}}{{cbignore}} Mata scored Chelsea's first goal of their FA Cup campaign in a 4–0 win over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge.

In an FA Cup fourth round tie with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, Mata scored his side's only goal from the penalty spot in a 0–1 victory. On 5 February 2012, Mata scored against Manchester United in a 3–3 draw.{{cite web|title=Match: Chelsea v Manchester United |url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/318100/gamecast.html |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163831/http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/318100/gamecast.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 }} On 21 February, Mata scored his side's only goal in their 1–3 defeat away at Napoli in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.{{cite web|title=Match: Napoli v Chelsea|url=http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/334832/gamecast.html|publisher=ESPN Soccernet}}

After the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as interim first-team coach, Mata was played as a central attacking midfielder rather than being played on the left wing. Mata scored and had a penalty saved by Colin Doyle in the FA Cup fifth round replay against Birmingham City at St Andrew's, which Chelsea won 2–0, helping them into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. He continued his trait of scoring in each round; this run, however, ended against Leicester City in the quarter-final, which Chelsea nonetheless won 5–2. On 7 April, Mata scored his 11th goal of the season against Wigan Athletic, giving the Blues a 2–1 victory over the Latics and kept alive Chelsea's fight for a Champions League spot.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

On 15 April, in Chelsea's 5–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, Mata scored a controversial goal and assisted Ramires and Florent Malouda for their goals, adding to his statistics in the 2011–12 FA Cup with four goals and three assists. Mata started in both legs of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final clash with reigning champions FC Barcelona, helping his side to an unexpected 3–2 win on aggregate.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/apr/18/chelsea-barcelona-champions-league Chelsea 1–0 Barcelona] The Guardian (London). Retrieved 12 May 2012.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/apr/24/barcelona-chelsea-champions-league Barcelona 2–2 Chelsea (2–3 agg)]. The Guardian (London). Retrieved 12 May 2012. and set up a final clash with Bayern Munich on 19 May.[https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0254-0d7dd1d52131-ef15b8d04841-1000--bayern-and-chelsea-renew-rivalry/ Bayern and Chelsea renew rivalry –]. UEFA (26 April 2012). Retrieved 12 May 2012.

Mata provided two assists to fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres in the 6–1 thrashing of West London rivals Queens Park Rangers on 29 April, bringing his tally to 13 Premier League assists on the season.[http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3877/english-premier-league/2012/05/01/3071937/mata-early-goals-were-the-difference-for-chelsea Mata: Early goals were the difference for Chelsea]. Goal.com (1 May 2012). Retrieved 12 May 2012. Mata assisted the first goal in the FA Cup final, which Ramires scored, as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2–1 at Wembley,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/05/fa-cup-final-chelsea-liverpool-live|title=FA Cup final: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool - as it happened|first=Tom|last=Lutz|newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 May 2012|via=www.theguardian.com}} with Mata picking up the Man of the Match award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/commentary?gameId=340950|title=Chelsea vs. Liverpool - Football Match Commentary - May 5, 2012 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} On 10 May, Mata was rewarded for his consistent form throughout his first Chelsea season by the fans voting him the club's Player of the Year, following on from Chelsea legends such as Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola, whom he had been compared to on various occasions.{{cite news |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2767955 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820133017/https://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2767955 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 August 2018 |publisher=Chelsea FC |title=Mata the main man |date=11 May 2012 }}

File:Juan Mata 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.jpg]]

In the 2012 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich on 19 May, Mata assisted Didier Drogba's headed equaliser from a corner kick in the 88th minute. The match went on to extra time and penalties, with Mata taking Chelsea's first, which Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved. Chelsea, however, went on to win 4–3 in the penalty-shootout, lifting their first Champions League title.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0250-0c50fb78a384-1434bbcadbcb-1000--shoot-out-win-ends-chelsea-s-long-wait-for-glory/|title=Shoot-out win ends Chelsea's long wait for glory |date=19 May 2012}} Mata finished his first season at Stamford Bridge with 573 passes, creating 66 chances and completing 61 successful crosses, which all contributed to Chelsea's cup-double winning season.{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/blogs/Euro2012top40players/30/33-juan-mata-spa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528043400/http://espnfc.com/us/en/blogs/Euro2012top40players/30/33-juan-mata-spa|archive-date=28 May 2012|title=Top 40 Players of Euro 2012: #33: Juan Mata, SPA|publisher=ESPN FC|date=25 May 2012|access-date=2 July 2014}} He finished the Premier League season with 14 assists – second highest in the league after Manchester City's David Silva – and six goals.{{cite web|title=Chelsea Statistics 2011/12|url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=11&season=2011&area=squad|work=KickOff.co.uk|access-date=12 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621165426/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=11&season=2011&area=squad|archive-date=21 June 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

Mata missed all of Chelsea's pre-season games as he was playing for Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but he returned to play in the 2012 FA Community Shield against Manchester City and was substituted after 74 minutes for Daniel Sturridge. Mata assisted his first goal of the season on 22 September 2012 against Stoke City, providing a great flick to Ashley Cole, which turned out to be the winning goal as Chelsea won 1–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19615097|title=Chelsea 1–0 Stoke|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 September 2012}} He scored his first goal of the season in the 2012–13 Football League Cup third round against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the game finishing 6–0 to Chelsea.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19632463|title=Chelsea 6–0 Wolves|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 September 2012|access-date=30 September 2012}} Four days later, he scored his first Premier League goal of the season, assisting Fernando Torres for the opener and then scoring directly from a free-kick in a 2–1 away win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19684245|title=Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 September 2012|access-date=30 September 2012}}

File:Mata returning to Chelsea's half.jpg

Mata scored Chelsea's first and third goal in the Champions League as Chelsea beat Nordsjælland 0–4 away in Farum, Denmark.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19709698|title=FC Nordsjaelland 0–4 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 October 2012|access-date=3 October 2012}} He later provided two assists in Chelsea's 4–1 rout of Norwich City, sending Eden Hazard through on goal and later flicking a delightful ball for defender Branislav Ivanović to volley in.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19776324|title=Chelsea 4–1 Norwich|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2012}} In a London Derby game against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 20 October, Mata scored twice and provided an assist for Daniel Sturridge in a 2–4 victory for Chelsea, where he also earned Man of the Match honours.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/tottenham-vs-chelsea/report/261638|title=Juan Mata scores twice as Chelsea overcome Tottenham in six-goal derby thriller |publisher=Sky Sports|date=20 October 2012}} He next scored in a Premier League match with a beautiful free kick against Manchester United. Chelsea, however, lost the match 3–2 after a late controversial goal from Javier Hernández. Mata went on to win the Premier League Player of the Month award for October after scoring three league goals.{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2012-13/nov/juan-mata-and-sir-alex-ferguson-win-october-awards.html |title=Mata named Barclays Player of the Month |publisher=Premier League |date=6 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202160633/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2012-13/nov/juan-mata-and-sir-alex-ferguson-win-october-awards.html |archive-date=2 February 2016}}

After manager Roberto Di Matteo was sacked following a 3–0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League, Mata scored the first goal of new, interim manager Rafael Benítez's reign at Chelsea against West Ham United, although Chelsea suffered a 3–1 defeat in this game.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20474474|title=West Ham 3–1 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport}} He scored again in Chelsea's win over Nordsjælland in a Champions League game, but Chelsea still failed to advance to the knockouts despite a 6–1 win at home.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20522151|title=Chelsea 6–1 Nordsjaelland|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 December 2012|access-date=29 January 2014}} He added to his tally of goals and his collection of fine performance at Sunderland in a 1–3 Chelsea win.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20564679|title=Sunderland 1–3 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 December 2012|access-date=29 January 2014}} After this game, Chelsea traveled to Japan for the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup. Here, too, Mata continued his top form by scoring Chelsea's first goal in the tournament against Monterrey in the semi-final, helping them on their course to the final with a 1–3 victory. The tournament, however, ended in disappointment as Chelsea were beaten 1–0 by Brazilian club Corinthians in the final.{{cite news |title=Chelsea v Corinthians – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/dec/16/chelsea-corinthians-club-world-cup-live |access-date=29 December 2019 |work=The Guardian}} The team put the defeat behind them by completing an 8–0 routing of Aston Villa, a game in which though Mata did not score a goal, but nevertheless played a very influential part.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20745787|title=Chelsea 8–0 Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 December 2012|access-date=29 January 2014}}

On 22 December 2012, Mata signed a contract extension with Chelsea which tied him up with the club until 2018.{{cite web|last=Stammers |first=Steve |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/juan-mata-new-contract-chelsea-1502569 |title=Juan Mata new contract: Chelsea tie down Spanish star to a new five-year deal – Mirror Online |publisher=Mirror.co.uk |date=22 December 2012 |access-date=29 January 2014}} On Boxing Day, Chelsea traveled to Carrow Road to face Norwich City, where both Manchester United and Arsenal had suffered defeats earlier in the season. Mata scored a brilliant goal in the 38th minute, taking a pass from Oscar into his stride and launching an unstoppable shot into the goal from 25 yards out. The goal turned out to be the winner.{{cite web|last=Phillips |first=Owen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20779143|title=Norwich 0–1 Chelsea |publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2012|access-date=29 January 2014}} Then, on 5 January, Mata provided assists for new acquisition Demba Ba and Branislav Ivanović to help Chelsea win 1–5 against Southampton in the third round of the 2012–13 FA Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20863303|title=Southampton 1–5 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 January 2013|access-date=29 January 2014}} A week later, he forced an own goal from Jonathan Walters by putting in a tight corner and earned a penalty which Frank Lampard converted. Chelsea went on to win the game 0–4, which was Stoke's first home defeat of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20919045|title=Stoke 0–4 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 January 2013|access-date=30 January 2014}}

Mata scored his eighth goal of the season in the Premier League against Arsenal in a 2–1 home win.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21002559|title=Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2013|access-date=29 January 2014}}

On 3 March 2013, Mata made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Chelsea in a 1–0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.grada360.com/juanmata/en/2013/03/04/un-domingo-en-la-tierrina/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104154849/http://blogs.grada360.com/juanmata/2013/03/04/un-domingo-en-la-tierrina/ |archive-date=4 January 2014 |title=A family Sunday |publisher=Grada360 |date=4 March 2013 }} On 14 March, Mata scored an opening goal in Chelsea's Europa League 3–1 (3–2) win against Steaua București.{{cite web|last=Chase |first=Graham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21696158 |title=Chelsea 3–1 Steaua Buch't (agg 3–2) |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=14 March 2013 |access-date=29 January 2014}} On 19 April, Mata was nominated for PFA Players' Player of the Year in recognition of his contribution to Chelsea's season in all competitions. The PFA's decision was based on his "ability to not only create goals but also score them himself" and saw him nominated alongside teammate Eden Hazard.{{cite web |title=PFA Nominees: Juan Mata – News – The PFA |url=http://www.thepfa.com/news/2013/4/19/pfa-nominees-poty-mata |website=ThePFA.com |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association |access-date=29 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426031858/http://www.thepfa.com/news/2013/4/19/pfa-nominees-poty-mata |archive-date=26 April 2013 |url-status=dead }} He also scored an 87th-minute winner against Manchester United, a crucial one for Chelsea's Champions League qualification hopes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22328145|title=Manchester United 0–1 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2013|access-date=29 January 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/features/dubious-goals-decisions-2012-13.html |title=Dubious Goals Rulings for the 2012/13 season |publisher=Premierleague.com |access-date=29 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228081242/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/features/dubious-goals-decisions-2012-13.html |archive-date=28 February 2014 }}

On 15 May, Mata gave a fine performance in the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final against Portugal's Benfica, assisting Branislav Ivanović's injury time winner from a corner kick.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22445388|title=Benfica 1–2 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2013|access-date=29 January 2014}} The next day, he was awarded Chelsea's Player's Player of the Year award. He modestly gave the credit to the whole of the squad, saying that, "he felt proud to play for Chelsea," and thanked his teammates. He was also awarded Chelsea's Player of the Year for the second successive season. On winning his second award of the night, he said, "I feel so happy. It's my second season here and winning the trophy two years in a row is amazing for me. I just want to say thank you to all the supporters and all my teammates."{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3181667 |title=Double delight for Mata at awards ceremony |publisher=Chelseafc.com |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=29 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104140431/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3181667 |archive-date= 4 January 2014 }}

File:Juan Mata Chelsea vs AS-Roma 10AUG2013.jpg in 2013]]

==2013–14: Mid-season departure==

Under new Chelsea manager José Mourinho, Mata spent a lot of time on the bench. Mourinho preferred Oscar as a playmaker, and suggested Mata needed to adapt to a wider position and to work harder defensively.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/20/chelsea-jose-mourinho-juan-mata |title=José Mourinho tells Juan Mata to adapt after blasting Chelsea's style |first=Dominic |last=Fifield |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2014}} On 28 September 2013, Mata came on as a half-time substitute against Tottenham Hotspur to assist John Terry to score an equaliser in a 1–1 draw,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/28/tottenham-hotspur-chelsea-premier-league-live |title=Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 Chelsea – as it happened |first=Barry |last=Glendenning |website=The Guardian |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2014}} but his appearances in the first team remained infrequent. On 29 October, he scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 League Cup victory at London rivals Arsenal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24619361|title=Arsenal 0–2 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2013|access-date=3 September 2014}}

Mata struggled to secure a regular first-team place under Mourinho as he had started just 11 of Chelsea's 22 Premier League matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/01/22/4562449/mata-on-verge-of-49m-manchester-united-switch-as-he-misses |title=Mata on verge of €49m Manchester United switch as he misses Chelsea training |publisher=Goal.com |date=22 January 2014 |access-date=29 January 2014}} Mata scored 33 goals and provided 58 assists in 135 appearances over two and a half seasons with Chelsea.

=Manchester United=

==Transfer==

On 24 January 2014, Mourinho said Chelsea had accepted a transfer offer from Manchester United and he allowed Mata to travel to Manchester to undergo a medical, after the player said he was "really happy to go".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25882972|title=Juan Mata: Man United move delayed by Chelsea's Salah wait|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 January 2014|first=David|last=Ornstein}} Manchester United confirmed later in the day that a transfer fee had been agreed, but that the deal was still contingent on Mata agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.{{cite news |author=Communications Dept. |title=Reds agree deal for Mata |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Jan/manchester-united-agree-deal-to-sign-juan-mata.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=24 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014 }} The transfer was completed the following day, with Manchester United paying Chelsea a then club record fee of £37.1 million (€46 million), with Mata signing a contract until the summer of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25882972|title=Juan Mata: Manchester United sign Chelsea midfielder for £37.1m|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2014|access-date=25 January 2014}}

==2014–15: Debut season and individual success==

File:JuanMata DCTraining.jpg

He made his debut against Cardiff City on 28 January and provided one assist in the 2–0 home victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25822391|title=Manchester United 2–0 Cardiff|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2014}} Mata scored his first goal for United in a 4–1 win over Aston Villa on 29 March 2014.{{cite web|title=Manchester United 4–1 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26694513|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 March 2014}} He also went on to score two goals against Newcastle United in a 4–0 away victory,{{cite news |title=Newcastle United 0–4 Manchester United |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2014/Apr/newcastle-united-v-manchester-united-match-report.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=5 April 2014 |first=Adam |last=Marshall}} two more against Norwich City after coming off the bench in another 4–0 win,{{cite news |title=Manchester United 4–0 Norwich City |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2014/Apr/Manchester-United-v-Norwich-Premier-League-match-report.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=26 April 2014 |first=Tim |last=Oscroft}} and the only goal in a 1–1 draw against Southampton in the final match of the season.{{cite news |title=Manchester United 4–0 Norwich City |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2014/May/Southampton-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League-match-report.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=11 May 2014 |first=Gemma |last=Thompson}}

Mata ended the season having scored six goals for Manchester United, all in the Premier League, since he was cup tied and unable to play in the Champions League and other cup competitions due to his participation in the tournaments with Chelsea earlier in the season.{{cite news |title=Cup-tied Mata stays home |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2014/Feb/Juan-Mata-blog-24-February.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=24 February 2014 |first=Ben |last=Hibbs}}

Mata began the new season in fine form. He scored the only goal in Manchester United's second game of the Premier League season, a 1–1 draw against Sunderland at Stadium of Light,{{cite news |title=Manchester United 1–1 Sunderland |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2014/Aug/Sunderland-vs-Manchester-United-premier-league-2014-match-report.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=24 August 2014 |first=Ian |last=McLeish}} following it up with a goal against Queens Park Rangers in a 4–0 thumping, which was also Louis van Gaal's first competitive win in charge of United.{{cite news |title=Manchester United 4–0 Queens Park Rangers |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2014/Sep/Manchester-United-vs-qpr-premier-league-2014-match-report.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=14 September 2014 |first=Gemma |last=Thompson}} He was later dropped to the bench for the following two matches, making cameo appearances against Leicester{{cite news |title=Confirmed Leicester City vs. Manchester United Lineups |url=http://www.caughtoffside.com/2014/09/21/confirmed-leicester-city-vs-manchester-united-lineups-first-start-for-radamel-falcao-in-three-man-attack/ |work=caughtoffside.com |publisher=CaughtOffside.com |date=21 September 2014 |first=Mark |last=Brus}} and West Ham,{{cite news|url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2014/09/27/confirmed-manchester-united-west-ham-united-line-ups/|title=Confirmed Manchester United vs. West Ham United Lineups|publisher=hereisthecity.com|first=Olly|last=Dawes|date=27 September 2014}} with van Gaal preferring an attacking trinity of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and new signing Radamel Falcao in both games.

Following Rooney's sending off and suspension due to a foul on Stewart Downing in the match against West Ham,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29289922|title=Manchester United 2–1 West Ham United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 September 2014}} Mata was reinstated to the starting lineup, and he started the next match against Everton, a 2–1 win at Old Trafford in which he provided the assist for Ángel Di María's goal.{{cite news |title=Manchester United 2–1 Everton |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2014/Oct/Manchester-United-vs-everton-premier-league-2014-match-report.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=5 October 2014 |first=Adam |last=Marshall}} Mata later scored winning goals in home games against Crystal Palace{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29860235|title=Manchester United 1–0 Crystal Palace|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2014}} and Stoke City, the former after coming on as a second-half substitute. He made his return to the starting line-ups for the first time, in a 3–0 win over Tottenham but was substituted in the 77th minute for Andreas Pereira.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31785852|title=Manchester United 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 March 2015|access-date=18 March 2015}} On 22 March 2015, Mata scored a brace, including a bicycle kick, in a 2–1 victory over Liverpool,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31893202|title=Liverpool 1–2 Manchester United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 March 2015|access-date=23 March 2015}} a performance which he rated as his best for Manchester United.{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/565634/Juan-Mata-Man-Utd-reaction |title=Juan Mata: Liverpool performance was my BEST for Man Utd after leaving Chelsea |website=express.co.uk |date=22 March 2015 |access-date=24 March 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/9772128/thierry-henry-marvels-at-ridiculous-juan-mata-goal-at-anfield |title=Thierry Henry marvels at 'ridiculous' Juan Mata goal at Anfield |publisher=Sky Sports |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=24 March 2015}} His second goal against Liverpool was also voted as Premier League Goal of the Month in March 2015.{{cite web|title=March goal of the month|url=http://vote.tectonicinteractive.com/?22#/show-answers/16459|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516185523/http://vote.tectonicinteractive.com/?22#/show-answers/16459|archive-date=16 May 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} His inspired performances led to him being named as Manchester United's Player of the Month for March.{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/Mar/juan-mata-named-manchester-united-player-of-the-month-for-march.aspx |title=Juan Mata wins Player of the Month award|website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United|first=Gemma |last=Thompson |date=27 March 2015 |access-date=28 March 2015}}

==2015–16: FA Cup win==

File:Juan Mata 20151228.jpg in 2015.]]

Mata, just as he had in the previous campaign, had a fine start to the season, getting an assist in the second game of the campaign against Aston Villa,{{cite news|title = Aston Villa 0–1 Manchester United| work=BBC Sport |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33814865|access-date = 10 October 2015}} which helped maintain his side's impressive record at Villa Park.{{cite web|title = Aston Villa 0 – 1 Manchester United Match preview - 14/08/2015 Premier League - Goal.com|url = http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/aston-villa-vs-manchester-united/2043060/preview|website = www.goal.com|access-date = 10 October 2015}} September was a month to remember for Mata as he scored two goals and made two assists in just three games, as Manchester United claimed wins against Liverpool,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34160795|title=Manchester United 3–1 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 September 2015|access-date=10 October 2015}} Southampton,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34236981|title=Southampton 2–3 Manchester United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 September 2015|access-date=10 October 2015}} and Sunderland.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34299545|title=Manchester United 3–0 Sunderland|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 September 2015|access-date=10 October 2015}} As a result, Mata was crowned the club's Player of The Month.{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/Oct/Juan-Mata-wins-Manchester-United-Player-of-the-Month-award-for-September-2015.aspx|title=Mata wins September Player of the Month award|website=ManUtd.com|publisher=Manchester United|date=15 October 2015|access-date=14 July 2016}}

Mata was made captain for the home game against Watford on 2 March and scored a free kick, which was also the match-winner.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35647650|title=Manchester United 1–0 Watford|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 March 2016|access-date=14 July 2016}} On 6 March, in a 1–0 defeat to West Brom, Mata received his first career red card after obtaining two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35681004|title=West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Manchester United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 March 2016|access-date=14 July 2016}} Mata assisted an Anthony Martial goal against West Ham in the final game at the Boleyn Ground; however, United lost 3–2, ending their chances of beating Manchester City for fourth-place.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36189168|title=West Ham United 3–2 Manchester United|website=BBC Sport|date=10 May 2016|access-date=24 May 2016}}

On 21 May 2016, Mata scored for United in the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace, leveling the score at 1–1 just three minutes after Jason Puncheon's 78th-minute goal. Mata was substituted in the 90th minute and replaced by Jesse Lingard, who would score the winning goal for United in extra time.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36292265|title=Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United (aet)|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2016|access-date=24 May 2016}}

==2016–17: UEFA Europa League, League Cup wins==

File:Zarya-MU (10).jpg campaign]]

At the beginning of the summer, Mata was reunited with his former Chelsea manager and the person who sold him to Manchester United, José Mourinho.{{cite web |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/May/club-statement-manchester-united-confirm-jose-mourinho-as-new-manager.aspx |title=Mourinho appointed United manager |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=27 May 2016 }} On 7 August 2016, Mata was selected to be on the bench in the FA Community Shield. Mata replaced Jesse Lingard in the second half, then was substituted in added time for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36934956|title=Jose Mourinho began his reign as Manchester United manager with a trophy|date=7 August 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}} Although there were reports about tensions between the player and manager, after the match, Mata stated that there were no tensions between him and Mourinho.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/08/manchester-united-midfielder-juan-matas-latest-row-with-jose-mou/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/08/manchester-united-midfielder-juan-matas-latest-row-with-jose-mou/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata's latest row with Jose Mourinho may mean no more Mr Nice Guy |date=8 August 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} He started in the opening match of the season against AFC Bournemouth and scored Manchester United's first Premier League goal of the season with a tap-in after Simon Francis' error.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37001060 |title=Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester United:Jose Mourinho made a winning Premier League start as Manchester United manager |date=14 August 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport}} After José Mourinho dropped captain Wayne Rooney, Mata served as the stand-in captain in the 0–0 draw against Burnley on 29 October 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/juan-mata-captains-manchester-united-9151336 |title=Juan Mata captains Manchester United vs Burnley as Henrikh Mkhitaryan again misses out |website=Daily Mirror |date=29 October 2016}}

==2017–20: Later years and contract extension==

Mata scored his third brace of his Manchester United career, scoring both goals in a Boxing Day fixture against Leicester City. However, his efforts were cancelled out by a late equaliser from Harry Maguire which saw the match finish 2–2.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/dec/23/leicester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league-live|title=Leicester City 2-2 Manchester United: Premier League - as it happened|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 March 2019}} Mata finished the season with three goals in 40 appearances for the Red Devils, as United finished second in the Premier League and lost in the 2018 FA Cup Final against his former club, Chelsea.

On 6 October 2018, Mata scored United's first goal in a 3–2 comeback win over Newcastle United.{{cite web |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-v-newcastle-6-sept-2018-match-report|title=United 3 Newcastle 2|website=ManUtd.com}} On 7 November, Mata scored the equaliser from a free kick in another late comeback 2–1 win over Juventus in a Champions League group stage fixture.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46087302|title=Manchester United stun Juventus|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 December 2018}} Mata also scored in a 4–1 win over Fulham on 8 December,{{cite web|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/united-4-fulham-1-match-report-dec-8-2018|title=United 4 Fulham 1.|website=ManUtd.com}} before scoring his final goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against his former club Chelsea on 28 April 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-united-v-chelsea-28-april-2019|title=Man Utd v Chelsea match report|website=ManUtd.com}}

On 19 June 2019, it was confirmed that Mata had signed a new two-year contract with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until June 2021 with the option of a further year. This ended months of speculation over his future.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/06/18/juan-mata-stay-manchester-united-agreeing-contract-extension/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/06/18/juan-mata-stay-manchester-united-agreeing-contract-extension/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Juan Mata to stay at Manchester United after agreeing contract extension|first=James|last=Ducker|date=18 June 2019|website=telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48683833|title=Juan Mata: Manchester United midfielder agrees new contract|date=18 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}

Mata's first goal of the 2019–20 season came from the spot in 4–0 win over AZ in United's final Europa League group stage game.{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Stone |title=Manchester United 4-0 AZ |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50749720 |website=BBC Sport |date=12 December 2019 |access-date=16 December 2019 }} Mata later scored the only goal in January in an FA Cup third round replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news |first=Gary |last=Rose |title=Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers, FA Cup third-round replay |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51093972 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2020 |access-date=16 January 2020 }} Mata then scored in United's final game before the temporary suspension of football due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a 5–0 victory over LASK.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2028223/ |title=LASK-Man. United |website=UEFA |access-date=12 March 2020}}

==2020–21 season==

After scoring against Luton and Brighton in the third and fourth round of the League Cup respectively,{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12078810/luton-0-3-man-utd-marcus-rashford-and-mason-greenwood-help-visitors-into-fourth-round|title=Luton 0-3 Man Utd: Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood help visitors into fourth round|website=Sky Sports}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11938/12086184/brighton-0-3-manchester-united-red-devils-ease-into-carabao-cup-quarter-finals|title=Brighton 0-3 Manchester United: Red Devils ease into Carabao Cup quarter-finals|website=Sky Sports}} Mata received praise for his performance in a comeback 4–1 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League on 17 October 2020. Whilst not scoring he provided an assist for Maguire's equaliser as well as being involved in the build up for all other goals. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær described his game as "fantastic" while Sky Sports said United's win was "largely thanks to [Solskjær's] decision to turn to Mata".{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12107153/juan-mata-helps-ease-pressure-on-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-as-manchester-united-blow-newcastle-away|title=Juan Mata helps ease pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United blow Newcastle away|website=Sky Sports|date=18 October 2020}} On 23 May 2021, he scored his only Premier League goal of the season in a 2–1 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2020-2021/manchester-united-beat-wolves-to-ruin-nuno-s-farewell-with-final-day-finesse_sto8329352/story.shtml |title=Manchester United beat Wolves to ruin Nuno's farewell with final day finesse |website=Eurosport |date=23 May 2021 }}

== 2021–22 season ==

On 2 July 2021, Mata signed a contract extension with Manchester United, keeping him at the club for another year.{{cite news |title=Mata agrees a new United contract |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/juan-mata-agrees-new-one-year-contract-at-man-utd-until-june-2022 |website=ManUtd.com |date=2 July 2021 |access-date=2 July 2021 }} After having made twelve appearances throughout the whole 2021–22 campaign, the last of which was during the team's last league fixture against Crystal Palace (on 22 May 2022),{{Cite web |last=Andy Edwards |date=2022-05-22 |title=Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Eagles soar past Red Devils |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2022/05/22/crystal-palace-vs-manchester-united-eagles-soar-past-red-devils/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=ProSoccerTalk {{!}} NBC Sports}} Mata left the club at the end of the season following his contract expiration.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61761358|title=Juan Mata: Manchester United midfielder pays emotional farewell as he leaves club|work=BBC |date=10 June 2022|access-date=10 June 2022}} The Spaniard's time at Old Trafford came to an end after eight years, a total amount of 285 appearances and 51 goals and four trophies won with the club.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-02 |title=Mata leaving United this summer |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/juan-mata-to-leave-man-utd-in-june-2022 |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Manchester United}}{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Jacob |date=2022-06-02 |title=Juan Mata to leave Manchester United after eight years |url=https://theathletic.com/news/juan-mata-to-leave-manchester-united-transfer-news/JCaFjbVqWdnh/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=The Athletic }}

=Later years=

On 8 September 2022, he signed a one-year contract with Turkish Süper Lig team Galatasaray, with the option to extend the deal by a further year.{{cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/gs-sportif-a-s/juan-mata-galatasaray-da/51659|title=Juan Mata Galatasaray'da! |publisher=Galatasaray S.K. |date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/futbol/galatasaray-a-hos-geldin-juan-mata/51660|title=Galatasaray'a hoş geldin Juan Mata!|publisher=Galatasaray S.K.|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022}} He made his debut on 24 September, in a friendly match against Istanbulspor and showed an impressive performance.{{Cite web |date=25 September 2022 |title=Juan Mata - Ansiklopedika Viki |url=https://tr.ansiklopedika.net/viki/juan-mata |access-date=2022-09-25 |language=tr |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925095626/https://tr.ansiklopedika.net/viki/juan-mata |url-status=dead }} He scored his first Süper Lig goal on 28 October after coming on as a second-half substitute against Fatih Karagümrük.{{cite web |url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/futbol/vavacars-fatih-karagumruk-0-2-galatasaray/51991|title=Vavacars Fatih Karagümrük 0-2 Galatasaray|publisher=Galatasaray S.K. |date=28 October 2022|access-date=9 February 2023}} Mata won the 2022–23 title, with a 4–1 away win against Ankaragücü on 30 May 2023 securing the title two weeks before the end of the season, the 23rd championship in club history.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65761517|title=Turkish Super Lig: Galatasaray win title for 23rd time after beating Ankaragucu 4-1|publisher=BBC Sport|date=May 30, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023}} On 1 July 2023, it was announced that he left Galatasaray and a thank you message was published.{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/GalatasaraySK/status/1675139870157836288|title=TEŞEKKÜRLER JUAN MANUEL MATA GARCİA|publisher=@GalatasaraySK _ Twitter|date=1 July 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023}}

On 3 September 2023, J1 League club Vissel Kobe announced the signing of Mata, handing him the club's number 64 shirt.{{Cite web |date=3 September 2023 |title=MFフアン マタ選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ |trans-title=Announcement of permanent transfer of MF Juan Mata |url=https://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/news/article/21947.html |access-date=3 September 2023 |website= |publisher=Vissel Kobe |language=Japanese}} Mata made just one appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute for the final ten minutes of a 2–0 away loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 16 September; however, he still received a medal as Vissel Kobe were crowned J1 League champions that season. On 6 January 2024, Mata's contract with Vissel Kobe expired and he left the club.{{Cite web |date=6 January 2024 |title=MFフアン マタ選手 契約満了のお知らせ |trans-title=Notice of expiration of contract of MF Juan Mata |url=https://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/news/article/22466.html |access-date=6 January 2024 |publisher=Vissel Kobe |language=ja}}

On 5 September 2024, Mata joined Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers ahead of the new A-League Men season.{{cite web|url=https://wswanderersfc.com.au/news/fifa-world-cup-and-uefa-european-champions-league-winner-juan-mata-is-red-black/|title=FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Champions League winner Juan Mata is Red & Black|website=Western Sydney Wanderers FC|date=5 September 2024|accessdate=5 September 2024}} He scored his first goal for the club on 1 January 2025 in a 2–3 loss to Macarthur FC.{{cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/juan-mata-scores-double-bullseye-092543169.html|title=Juan Mata scores, but it's a double Bullseye for Drew|first=Joey|last=Lynch|website=Yahoo!|date=1 January 2025}}

International career

File:Torres, Mata and Ramos Euro 2012 trophy 01.jpg (left) and Sergio Ramos (right) after winning UEFA Euro 2012]]

Mata represented Spain from 2004 to 2016 at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20, under-21, Olympic and senior levels.{{cite web |title=J. Mata |url=https://www.besoccer.com/player/matches/j-mata-23385 |website=besoccer.com |access-date=4 November 2022}}

He was a key player for Spain as they won the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, finishing the tournament as second top scorer to his teammate Alberto Bueno, with four goals in five matches.[https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0254-0d7b98c953ef-ebda2165edd2-1000--spain-sweep-into-u19-final/ "Spain sweep into U19 final"] UEFA, 26 July 2006

On 1 February 2007, Spain under-21 coach Iñaki Sáez included Mata in his squad for a friendly match against England.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/england-u21-vs-spain-u21/teams/80598|title=England U21 2-2 Spain U21|date=6 February 2007|access-date=9 April 2024|website=Sky Sports}} On 6 February, at the age of 18 years and 10 months, Mata made his under-21 debut as a substitute for Pedro León in the 61st minute of a 2–2 draw at Pride Park.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6322149.stm|title=England U21 2-2 Spain U21|date=6 February 2007|access-date=9 April 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

On 14 November 2008, Vicente del Bosque called Mata up to the Spain senior squad ahead of a friendly match against Chile. On 28 March 2009, he made his senior international debut, coming on as a substitute for Valencia teammate David Villa in the 63rd minute of a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/juan-mata-debut-can-the-ps37-1m-manchester-united-midfielder-continue-his-winning-debut-run-against-cardiff-city-9091667.html|title=Juan Mata debut: Can the £37.1m Manchester United midfielder continue his winning debut run against Cardiff City?|date=28 January 2014|access-date=9 April 2024|website=The Independent}}

In June 2009, Del Bosque included Mata in his 23-man squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He started in the second group match against Iraq and came on as a substitute for Albert Riera in the semi-final loss to the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2009/06/24/usa-spainblog|title=Confederations Cup Live Blog: Spain 0-2 United States|date=24 June 2009|access-date=9 April 2024|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

File:Juan Manuel Mata, Adrián López, and Alberto Botía, U21 in 2011.jpg and Alberto Botía lining up for Spain U21 in 2011]]

On 9 September 2009, Mata scored his first goal for the senior team in a 3–0 win against Estonia that guaranteed Spain's qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He followed this up with the winner against Armenia on 10 October, scoring a penalty kick in a 2–1 win.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140709034821/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/southafrica2010/news/newsid=1116149/index.html Mata keeps Spain perfect]; FIFA, 10 September 2009 Mata was selected in Spain's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals and appeared once for the eventual champions, replacing Fernando Torres for the final 20 minutes of the 2–0 group stage win against Honduras.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/21/spain-honduras-world-cup-match-report|title=World Cup 2010: David Villa double gives Spain victory over Honduras|date=22 June 2010|access-date=9 April 2024|website=The Guardian}}

The following summer, Mata was a member of Spain's 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship winning team. He was included in UEFA's Team of the Tournament and named as the tournament's Golden Player.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0dee6a710149-fcbf130aaf27-1000--u21-euro-memories-highlights-winners-star-players/|title=U21 EURO memories: highlights, winners, star players|date=14 June 2019|access-date=9 April 2024|website=UEFA}}

Mata returned to the senior squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and, after coming on as a substitute, scored Spain's fourth goal in the final as Spain defeated Italy 4–0 to retain their title as champions of Europe.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/9365288/Spain-4-Italy-0-match-report.html Spain 4 Italy 0: match report]. The Daily Telegraph (London).

Mata was included in Spain's squad for the 2012 Olympic football tournament as one of their three designated overage players. Spain, however, failed to score in any of their opening three matches and were eliminated at the group stage.[http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4433/2012-olympics/2012/07/30/3276603/juan-manuel-mata-takes-to-twitter-to-apologise-for-spain-olympic-?source=breakingnews Mata: Spain deserved more at Olympics]; Goal.com, 31 July 2012

In June 2013, he was named in Spain's squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup where he played in four of the team's five matches, scoring in the 10–0 group stage win over Tahiti.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22896367|title=Spain 10-0 Tahiti|date=20 June 2013|access-date=9 April 2024|website=BBC Sport}} He played 52 minutes of the final before being substituted for Jesús Navas as Spain lost 3–0 to Brazil at the Estadio do Maracanã.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/30/brazil-spain-live-confederations-cup-final|title=Brazil v Spain: Confederations Cup final – as it happened|date=1 July 2013|access-date=9 April 2024|website=The Guardian}}

Mata was included in the Spanish squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, playing 36 minutes in the final group match against Australia where he scored the team's final goal of a 3–0 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25285263|title=Australia 0-3 Spain|date=23 June 2014|access-date=9 April 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

Style of play

{{quote box |align=right |salign=right |width=33%

|quote=For me good football is not about how many skills you show or how many players you beat. It's about making the right decision every time you have the ball. I see players that make 100% right decisions – Iniesta and Xavi – but there are also good English examples. Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard made many more right decisions than wrong decisions. You see so many players with physical qualities. They are quick and strong but they don't make the right decisions. So for me the most important thing is to do what the game asks from you in the moment. You naturally know what is right which is why, even though you have to think about defensive duties and structure, once you're on the pitch you have to be free in your mind."

|author={{mdash}} Juan Mata.{{cite news |title=Juan Mata: 'People underestimate football. It gives hope to so many people' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/13/juan-mata-manchester-united-jose-mourinho-interview |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210505213410/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/13/juan-mata-manchester-united-jose-mourinho-interview |date=13 Oct 2017 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |first=Donald |last=McRae |work=The Guardian}}}}

In addition to his favoured playmaking role as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers,{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/attacking-midfield-is-my-best-position-says-mata-idUSKBN1CG19F/|title=Attacking midfield is my best position, says Mata|website=Reuters|access-date=26 July 2024}} Mata is also comfortable playing on either wing; he has also been used as a second striker on occasion. He makes up for a lack of pace with his control, technique, passing, creativity, and vision, which allows him to link-up with teammates and register many assists, in addition to scoring goals. A diminutive player, standing at {{convert|5|ft|7|in|m|2|abbr=on}}, he lacks significant physical strength, heading ability, or aerial prowess, but is quick, agile, and nimble in his movements. Predominantly left footed, he is also a well-known free kick specialist. However, he has drawn criticism at times in the media over his limited defensive skills and work-rate.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/kickingandscreaming/id/467?cc=5901|title=The 2012–13 Prem Best XI|website=espnfc.com|last=Hirshey|first=David|access-date=22 May 2013}}

Business interests

In November 2012, along with fellow Premier League players Santi Cazorla and Michu, Mata bought shares in former club Real Oviedo, who were struggling to raise €2 million to stay afloat in the Spanish third division.{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Real Oviedo – the remarkable story of a club the world united to save |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/nov/29/real-oviedo-spain-premier-league |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=29 November 2012 |access-date=11 January 2019 }}

Mata and his father Juan Manuel Mata were part-owners of Tapeo and Wine, a Spanish restaurant on Deansgate in Manchester city centre, which opened in 2016{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/manchester-united-stars-juan-mata-11327278|title=Manchester United stars Juan Mata, David De Gea and Ander Herrera welcome Spanish restaurant Tapeo and Wine|first=Emily|last=Heward|date=13 May 2016|website=Manchester Evening News}} and closed in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/juan-matas-dad-closing-manchester-18941963|title=Juan Mata's dad is closing his city centre tapas restaurant|first=Emily|last=Heward|date=16 September 2020|website=Manchester Evening News}} Mata and his father felt that authentic Spanish food options in Manchester were insufficient and so wanted to create their own restaurant. At the time, both Manchester managers, Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho were regular patrons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3821695/top-table-clash-mourinho-and-guardiola-gave-juan-matas-dad-seating-headache-at-manchester-restaurant|title=Top-table clash: Jose, Pep kept apart at Mata dad's restaurant|date=10 April 2019|website=ESPN.com}}

In August 2017, Mata announced in an article for The Players' Tribune that he was pledging one percent of his salary to a pledge-based charitable movement named Common Goal, and called for other football players to do the same.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/common-goal-juan-mata-football-charity/9ebv9emew831k5zs19deolqe|title=WHAT IS COMMON GOAL? JUAN MATA'S NEW CHARITABLE INITIATIVE EXPLAINED|work=Goal|date=25 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017}}

In 2023, Mata joined the investment group of the Alpine racing team of Formula One.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patrick-mahomes-invests-in-formula-one-team-alpine-ownership|title=Patrick Mahomes invests in Formula One team, 'always looking around' at ownership opportunities |last=Shook|first=Nick|website=NFL.com|date=October 19, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/racing/2023/10/17/patrick-mahomes-travis-kelce-investors-alpine-f1-team|title=Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Become Investors in Alpine F1 Team|publisher=Sports Illustrated |last=McDaniel |first=Mike|date=October 17, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023}}

On 20 November 2024, Mata joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer club San Diego FC.{{cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=20 November 2024 |title=Juan Mata hopes 'to build something special' with San Diego FC investment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/nov/20/juan-mata-hopes-to-build-something-special-with-san-diego-fc-investment |work=The Guardian |accessdate=26 November 2024}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan=2|Club

!rowspan=2|Season

!colspan=3|League

!colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, FA Cup, Turkish Cup}}

!colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Include Football League Cup/EFL Cup}}

!colspan=2|Europe

!colspan=2|Other

!colspan=2|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid Castilla

|2006–07{{cite web |title=Mata Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/mata/2/ |website=worldfootball.net |date=2 June 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022}}

|Segunda División

|39

9colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—399
rowspan="5"|Valencia

|2007–08

|La Liga

|24

584colspan="2"|—1{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}}0colspan="2"|—339
2008–09

|La Liga

|37

1121colspan="2"|—6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}12{{efn|Appearances in Supercopa de España}}14714
2009–10

|La Liga

|35

920colspan="2"|—14{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}5colspan="2"|—5114
2010–11

|La Liga

|33

830colspan="2"|—7{{efn|name=UCL}}1colspan="2"|—439
colspan="2"|Total

!129

33155colspan="2"|—2872117446
rowspan="4"|Chelsea

|2011–12{{soccerbase season|47417|2011|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|34

6741012{{efn|name=UCL}}2colspan="2"|—5412
2012–13{{soccerbase season|47417|2012|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|35

12615214{{efn|Six appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}}44{{efn|One appearance in FA Community Shield, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup}}16420
2013–14{{soccerbase season|47417|2013|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|13

000212{{efn|name=UCL}}000171
colspan="2"|Total

!82

18135832864113533
rowspan="10"|Manchester United

|2013–14{{cite web |title=Juan Mata |url=https://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/a-z_player_archive/a-z_player_archive_pages/mata_juan.html |website=MUFCInfo.com |access-date=4 November 2022}}

|Premier League

|15

6colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—156
2014–15{{soccerbase season|47417|2014|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|33

92100colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—3510
2015–16{{soccerbase season|47417|2015|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|38

6431011{{efn|Seven appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1colspan="2"|—5410
2016–17{{soccerbase season|47417|2016|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|25

6303210{{efn|name=UEL}}21{{efn|Appearance in FA Community Shield}}04210
2017–18{{soccerbase season|47417|2017|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|28

350106{{efn|name=UCL}}000403
2018–19{{soccerbase season|47417|2018|access-date=12 December 2019}}

|Premier League

|22

331116{{efn|name=UCL}}1colspan="2"|—326
2019–20{{soccerbase season|47417|2019|access-date=20 August 2020}}

|Premier League

|19

0413011{{efn|name=UEL}}2colspan="2"|—373
2020–21

|Premier League

|9

110226{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League}}|0colspan="2"|—183
2021–22{{soccerbase season|47417|2021|access-date=22 May 2022}}

|Premier League

|7

010103{{efn|name=UCL}}0colspan="2"|—120
colspan="2"|Total

!196

342361255361028551
Galatasaray

|2022–23

|Süper Lig

|16

320colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—183
Vissel Kobe

|2023{{Soccerway|19106|Juan Manuel Mata García|access-date=19 September 2023}}

|J1 League

|1

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—10
Western Sydney Wanderers

|2024–25

|A-League

|18

1colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—181
colspan="3"|Career total

!481

9853162081091972670143

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|match played 15 November 2016}}{{NFT player |id=28691 |name=Mata, Juan |accessdate=11 February 2019}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan=8|Spain

|2009

73
201030
201162
201241
2013123
201421
201540
201630
colspan=2|Total||41||10

:As of match played 15 November 2016. Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Mata goal.

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ List of international goals scored by Juan Mata

scope=col|No.

!scope=col|Date

!scope=col|Venue

!scope=col|Opponent

!scope=col|Score

!scope=col|Result

!scope=col|Competition

scope=row style=text-align:center|1

| 9 September 2009 || Estadio Romano, Mérida, Spain || {{fb|EST}} || align=center | 3–0 || align=center | 3–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

scope=row style=text-align:center|2

| 10 October 2009 || Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia|| {{fb|ARM}} || align=center | 2–1 || align=center | 2–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

scope=row style=text-align:center|3

| 14 October 2009 || Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina || {{fb|BIH}} || align=center | 5–0 || align=center | 5–2 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

scope=row style=text-align:center|4

| 29 March 2011 || Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas, Lithuania || {{fb|LIT}} || align=center | 3–1 || align=center | 3–1 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualification

scope=row style=text-align:center|5

| 7 October 2011 || Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic || {{fb|CZE}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 2–0 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualification

scope=row style=text-align:center|6

| 1 July 2012 || Olympic Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine || {{fb|ITA}} || align=center | 4–0 || align=center | 4–0|| UEFA Euro 2012

scope=row style=text-align:center|7

| 11 June 2013 || Yankee Stadium, New York City, United States || {{fb|IRL}} || align=center | 2–0 || align=center | 2–0 || Friendly

scope=row style=text-align:center|8

| 20 June 2013 || Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil || {{fb|TAH}} || align=center | 8–0 || align=center | 10–0 || 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

scope=row style=text-align:center|9

| 15 October 2013 || Estadio Carlos Belmonte, Albacete, Spain || {{fb|GEO}} || align=center | 2–0 || align=center | 2–0 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

scope=row style=text-align:center|10

| 23 June 2014 || Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, Brazil || {{fb|AUS}} || align=center | 3–0 || align=center | 3–0 || 2014 FIFA World Cup

Honours

File:Juan Mata 271801a.jpg

Valencia{{Soccerway|juan-manuel-mata-garcia/19106}}

Chelsea

  • FA Cup: 2011–12{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17878435 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118044832/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17878435 |archive-date=18 January 2016 }}
  • UEFA Champions League: 2011–12{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Bayern Munich 1–1 Chelsea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18044385 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116042658/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18044385 |archive-date=16 January 2016 }}
  • UEFA Europa League: 2012–13{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Benfica 1–2 Chelsea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22445388 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125232101/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22445388 |archive-date=25 January 2016 }}
  • FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2012{{cite news |title=Chelsea 0-1 Corinthians |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20746503 |access-date=29 December 2019|date=16 December 2012 |first=Michael |last=Emons|work=BBC Sport}}

Manchester United

  • FA Cup: 2015–16;{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36292265 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2016 |access-date=25 April 2019 }} runner-up: 2017–18{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44091559 |title=Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=6 July 2020}}
  • EFL Cup: 2016–17{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Manchester United 3–2 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39018813 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=25 April 2019 }}
  • FA Community Shield: 2016{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Bevan |title=Leicester City 1–2 Manchester United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36934956 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2016 |access-date=25 April 2019 }}
  • UEFA Europa League: 2016–17;{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Ajax 0–2 Manchester United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40004559 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=25 April 2019 }} runner-up: 2020–21{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Stone |title=Villarreal 1-1 Manchester United (11-10 on pens): David de Gea spot kick saved in epic Europa League final shootout |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57224112|work=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2021 |access-date=26 May 2021 }}

Galatasaray

  • Süper Lig: 2022–23{{Cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/futbol/cumhuriyetin-yuzu-turkiyenin-en-buyugu-sampiyon-galatasaray/53345|title=CUMHURİYETİN YÜZÜ, TÜRKİYE'NİN EN BÜYÜĞÜ, ŞAMPİYON GALATASARAY!|publisher=Galatasaray S.K.|date=May 30, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2023}}

Vissel Kobe

File:Juan Mata 2010.jpg

Spain U19

Spain U21

Spain

Individual

  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Player: 2011[https://web.archive.org/web/20111008010318/http://www.uefa.com/under21/history/season=2011/goldenplayer/index.html Juan Mata UEFA Golden Player 2011], UEFA. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2011{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3883/features/2014/01/28/4574447/goal-singapore-top-5-juan-mata-moments|title=Goal Singapore Top 5 - Juan Mata moments|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=19 September 2015}}
  • Chelsea Player of the Year: 2012, 2013
  • Chelsea Players' Player of the Year: 2013{{cite web |date=17 May 2013 |title=Mata Named Chelsea Player's Player of the Year |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/english-football/2013/05/17/3984297/mata-named-chelsea-players-player-of-the-year |publisher=Goal.com}}
  • Premier League Player of the Month: October 2012{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4287/Juan-Mata/overview |title=Juan Mata: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=28 September 2018}}
  • PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 Premier League{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030 |title=Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards |work=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2013 |access-date=23 May 2018}}
  • Most assists in the Premier League: 2012–13{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist|title=Premier League Player Stats - Assists|website=premierleague.com|access-date=26 July 2024|quote=Select season in the "Filter by season" drop-down menu.}}
  • Manchester United Goal of the Season: 2014–15 (vs. Liverpool, 22 March 2015){{Cite web |last=Carney |first=Sam |date=5 June 2022 |title=Every winner of the Man Utd Goal of the Season award |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/every-winner-of-the-man-utd-goal-of-the-season-award |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=Manchester United}}

{{Clear}}

References

{{reflist}}