How Spanish superstar Juan Mata became a smash hit with Melbourne Victory

Juan Mata and Melbourne just clicked.

Mata, who won the FIFA World Cup, the Champions League and two European Cups while playing for Manchester United, Chelsea and Spain, could have played anywhere in the world, but he chose the sports capital and did not regret it.

“From day one, when you get somewhere and it clicks, you know it’s working? That’s how I felt,” Mata told this imprint.

He attracted a lot of attention when he arrived at Western Sydney Wanderers last season and challenged for starting and a reliable role at the struggling Wanderers. But Mata’s arrival at Melbourne Victory has revived the 37-year-old’s successful football career and provided a major jolt in the arm of one of the A-League’s formidable forces; Mata, on the other hand, adopted the city’s sports and food culture.

Not only did Mata become the heart of Victory’s attack, scoring 11 goals and scoring four of his own, but he also built a treasure trove of memories and chance encounters by participating in the AFL grand final, the F1 Grand Prix, the Boxing Day test and golf’s Australian Open.

He also took part in Novak Djokovic’s box at this year’s tennis Australian Open and met with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.

Fortunately, Mata didn’t have to choose between the two as Victory had a game in Gosford in the men’s final.

“I met a lot of Spaniards in Sydney last year and now in Melbourne,” Mata said.

“When I met Carlos Alcaraz and the other Spanish guys – ‘Oh, are you here now? What are you doing here?’

“It’s also nice to see people from your own country on the other side of the world.”

Mata felt an immediate connection with the city and acquired an extensive knowledge of the sport. He received a hand signal from Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy as he walked through AAMI Park on Tuesday.

“Isn’t he a legend?” Mata spoke casually as he headed towards the Zafer office. He and some Victory leaders met with the iconic NRL coach earlier in the season.

‘El Mago’s’ playing future looked in doubt at the end of last season after he was used sparingly by Wanderers, but you wouldn’t know that from his impact at AAMI Park.

Teammates admire his talent and humility, while Victory fans love watching his first touch, passing and free kicks. The fans are cheering him on even as he runs to take a corner kick.

“As soon as he comes in, you look at his technique and he’s honestly a class above us,” Victory defender Josh Rawlins said.

“He’s a humble person. He’s here to help and he helps the young players, he talks to everyone and he’s made a huge contribution and has been really effective.”

This was never clearer than at the Melbourne Derby on 21 February.

Mata momentarily froze more than 21,000 fans and 20 of the 22 players on the field in the 20th minute. His left boot had cleared Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach from his own line before turning the ball towards goal.

It was the signature moment of Mata’s superb season and symbolized his arrival at the club.

“We found each other at a great time,” Mata said.

“It seemed like a perfect match.”

The video of the derby goal was gleefully commented on by Mata’s superstar friends from around the world, including Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and David de Gea.

“It’s nice when your friends follow you, I follow them too, because sometimes it’s hard to sleep after matches,” Mata said.

“I watched them over the weekend [against Aston Villa]I saw another Bruno masterclass. Having Premier League players following us is also good for the A League.”

When Victory coach Arthur Diles signed Mata ahead of this season, it looked like a Hail Mary for a club that had lost the last two major finals and had not won a title since the Kevin Muscat era in 2018.

“I took some time to feel out what I wanted to do and came to the conclusion that my time in Australia was not over yet,” Mata said.

“There aren’t many games in this league and everything has moved too fast, so I felt like I had to come back; I want to enjoy this league and Australia more.”

He told his manager to see what the offer was, and Victory leaders Caroline Carnegie, John Didulica and Diles soon came calling.

Mata, who had fallen out of favor with Wanderers, wanted a coach who wanted him.

Arthur said he wanted a player like me to play with this number 10 attacking midfielder who would dominate the ball a lot; Everything he said was like music to my ears.

“At this point in my career it’s very important for me to enjoy my game and being on the field, and Arthur has given me that.”

Diles had no doubt that Mata would be perfect for his side.

“Over the last few years, we’ve struggled to unlock deep defenses or open up games in crunch time, and we know he can do that. It’s not easy to do that, and only certain players can do that,” Diles said.

“This is the most valuable part and that’s why we needed it. It shows what we believe in.”

“He works really hard for the team. You have quality but you also have everything that comes with it.”

Victory have lacked consistent form in Mata’s superb season; They beat the best in the competition but toned down their lines in other matches.

They sit fourth with five games remaining and Mata sees the potential for the club to make a run at the title, starting with a win over Central Coast Mariners in the U-NITE multicultural tour match at AAMI Park on Saturday.

“We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves… but I have confidence in this team as I’ve seen what we can do against supposedly better teams like Sydney FC and Melbourne City and hopefully we can deliver that football when it’s needed.”

When it comes to his playing future, Mata will once again step back and consider his options, but he does not rule out staying at Victory.

“I will finish this season and think about how I feel, but I will always have a relationship with Australia and I would love to come here from time to time.”

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