Juan Mata rolled again the years with two sensational finishes – together with a 40-yard stunner – for A-League facet Melbourne Victory.
The previous Chelsea and Manchester United man, 37, is having fun with one thing of a renaissance in Australia having received the highest flight’s Participant of the Month for January.
Mata signed for Victory final September after a turbulent few years since leaving Outdated Trafford – together with a weird stint for Japan’s Vissel Kobe the place he made only one look – and seems to have discovered his kind once more.
Together with his facet dealing with rivals Melbourne Metropolis on Saturday, the Spaniard opened the scoring after 20 minutes in astonishing style, latching onto a unfastened ball and lobbing the goalkeeper from manner out.
Metropolis levelled the scoring to maintain the groups degree at half-time, however the World Cup-winner as soon as once more produced a second of magic to place Victory 2-1 up within the Sixty fourth-minute.
Unmarked on the fringe of the field, Mata managed the ball along with his left foot earlier than teeing up a shot straight into the highest left nook to spark pandemonium within the stands.
Juan Mata rolled again the years with two unimaginable finishes for Melbourne Victory on Saturday
Mata acquired a standing ovation and was awarded Participant of the Match for his efficiency
Victory ran out 3-1 winners ultimately, with the 37-year-old receiving a standing ovation and awarded Participant of the Match.
Mata’s two targets take him to 3 for the season, and add to his already spectacular help tally of eight.
The attacking midfielder, who received the 2010 World Cup and has a number of European honours to his identify, first moved Down Below in September 2024 to affix Western Sydney Wanderers.
Nevertheless, his time on the membership was soured on account of a falling out with supervisor Alan Stajcic over a scarcity of recreation time.
Mata broke by means of within the Actual Madrid academy earlier than catching the attention of Europe’s elite at Valencia, the place he received a Copa del Rey throughout his spell from 2007 till 2011.
Chelsea shortly got here calling and Mata would go on to make 135 appearances at Stamford Bridge, scoring 33 occasions and aiding 53 throughout a trophy-laden spell which noticed him win a Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Nevertheless, he fell out of favour below Jose Mourinho and moved to Man United in January 2014.
Mata made 285 appearances for United, scoring 51 occasions and aiding 44 targets for his team-mates.
The Spaniard moved to Chelsea after a formidable breakthrough at La Liga facet Valencia
Mata was bought to Manchester United in 2014 and he would spend eight years at Outdated Trafford
He received 4 trophies with the membership, three of which (Europa League, League Cup and Neighborhood Protect) got here within the 2016-17 season below Mourinho after the Portuguese moved to Outdated Trafford. Mata additionally received the 2016 FA Cup and left United in 2022.
The Spaniard received the 2012 European Championships along with his nation, and final performed for the nation in 2016.
He acquired an Honorary MBE after making King Charles III’s 2023 listing for providers to sport and charity, following his founding of Widespread Aim, an organisation that employs greater than 250 footballers and coaches.
‘I am deeply grateful for this recognition’ Mata stated final June upon receiving the award.
‘I am lucky to have the ability to dedicate myself professionally to what I am most captivated with – soccer – and much more in order that it is one thing with such world significance.
‘Sport usually, and soccer particularly, have a novel capacity to unite and join individuals, and to drive optimistic change. This honour strengthens our dedication to proceed supporting those that try to enhance lives by means of our beloved recreation.’
