Juan Mata

At 36 years old, Juan Mata has this physical status:

Juan Manuel Mata Garca (born 28 April 1988) is a professional footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray. He primarily plays as a central attacking midfielder, but he can also play on the wing.

Mata, a student at Real Madrid's youth academy, played for Real Madrid Castilla in 2006–07 before heading to Valencia in the summer of 2007. He made 174 appearances in the club's midfield during his four seasons, and became a key piece of the team's midfield. Mata signed for Chelsea of the Premier League in August 2011 for a fee that was estimated to be in the region of €28 million, and the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup were won in his debut season. Chelsea won the Europa League the following year, making Mata and teammate Fernando Torres the first players to play in both the Champions League, Europa League, and European Championships simultaneously. Mata was sold to Manchester United in January 2014 for £37.1 million after falling out of favour under José Mourinho's tenure at Chelsea.

Mata is a Spanish international who has represented Spain under the age of 16, under-17, under-19, under-21, Olympic, and senior levels. In the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he competed for the under-20 team. Mata played in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, his first senior tournament appearance. Mata scored his first goal for the senior team against Estonia on September 9, 2009, securing the country's participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and being a member of Spain's World Cup-winning team. In 2011, he resurgent himself in the Under-21 team, assisting Spain in the 2011 European Under-21 Football Championship in Denmark. He received the Golden Player award and was a member of the Tournament's Team. Mata was recalled to the senior squad of UEFA Euro 2012, and Spain's fourth goal in the final as Spain defeated Italy 4–0 to keep their title as Europe's champions.

Early life

Mata was born in Burgos, Castile, and León. Juan Manuel Mata Rodro, a footballer, and he was a forward for Burgos CF in the 1980s and early 1990s, inherited his name. Mata was born in Oviedo, Asturias, to his father's hometown. His father became Mata's agent after being FIFA-registered in the process. Mata plays table tennis, a sport he played as a kid, in his spare time.

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Club career

Mata began his football career at Real Oviedo, where his father spent the majority of his time. He stayed at Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica, for three years before joining Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica, at age 15. He began to progress through the junior squads, Juvenil C, and eventually Juvenil A after appearing for their Cadet A team. He scored two goals in the league and three more in the Copa de Campeones, including the winner in the final against Real Valladolid in the Spanish Juvenil Cup.

Mata was given the number 34 shirt in the first team but not in Castilla, when wearing number 28. Despite Castilla's last Segunda División relegation, he finished the season as the team's second best scorer at ten, behind striker lvaro Nego, who scored 18.

Mata had a release clause at Real Madrid during his last season with the club, and he eventually agreed to join fellow La Liga team Valencia CF in March 2007, with the deal beginning on June 30th, 2007.

Mata gradually carved a niche in Valencia's first eleven, benefiting from chronic pain to Vicente and the ostracism, which then-manager Ronald Koeman condemned Miguel ngel Angulo. He scored twice in the Copa del Rey semi-final match against FC Barcelona on March 20, 2008, helping Valencia reach the final against Getafe CF, where he scored the opener in a 3-1 victory. Fans and players alike voted him the team's Best Young Player during his first season.

Mata scored against his former club Real Madrid in a 3–2 victory in the first leg, but Valencia lost 5–6 on aggregate after a 2–4 away loss in the second game. In the opener against RCD Mallorca in a 3–0 victory, he started 2008–09 very well, scoring in the opener. He also scored his first goal of the game against CA Osasuna, despite David Villa's long ball.

Mata's performance soared in effectiveness on September 25, 2008, as he set up two of his coworkers' goals in a 2–0 away victory over Málaga CF. In a 4–2 home win, he put in a superb performance against Deportivo de La Corua, scoring one and creating the other three players.

Mata's first, the 3–2 champion at Sporting de Gijón, and the second a penalty against Sevilla FC at home, put Valencia 2–1 up (specialist Villa had already been called off due to injury) in a tumultuous 2–1 triumph. He had a fruitful year and 13 assists, finishing with 11 successful strikes and 13 assists, behind Barcelona's Xavi as the league's best.

Mata was an ever present offensive figure for Valencia in the ensuing two seasons, scoring 17 goals in 68 games, with the club winning back-to-back third-league titles. He scored two goals in a 5–0 home victory over Valencian neighbors Villarreal CF on April 10, 2011. Guillem Bala, an England-based Spanish journalist, piqued interest from a number of Premier League clubs on May 9th.

Valencia reported on August 21 that they had agreed a £23.5 million fee for Mata's transfer to Premier League club Chelsea, subject to a medical. Mata announced a five-year contract with Chelsea on August 24, 2011. Fernando Torres, a fellow of Stamford Bridge, persuaded him to move to Stamford Bridge, saying, "Fernando got me excited about the prospect of arriving here." It would be great for me and the world together, and it would be beneficial to me. I've also spoken to my family and friends about it."

Yossi Benayoun's number ten shirt was given to Mata on August 26, 2011. "I decided to give Mata the number ten, his favorite," the Israeli captain said. For me, it's just a number, not my lucky 15. (Florent Malouda played number 15 for Chelsea at the time) Mata wore number ten for Valencia and Spain's under-21s in the summer, and expressed his admiration to Benayoun. "It is a very important number to me, so I'm delighted to be wearing it." "I want to thank Yossi," he said. Mata was followed by Chelsea players Joe Cole, Mark Hughes, Ian Hutchinson, and Terry Venables in adopting the number 10 shirt.

Mata made his Chelsea debut against Norwich City on August 27, 2011, when the club's third goal was scored in the 11th minute of stoppage time. Chelsea defeated the match 3–1. Chelsea beat Sunderland 1-0 in their first game for his new club in September's next match on September tensing Chelsea's 1–2 victory. Mata made his UEFA Champions League debut for Chelsea on September 14th and scored in stoppage time to help his team beat Bayer Leverkusen 2–0.

Mata assisted Chelsea in their 6,000th league goal on October 29 with an in-swinging cross that was directed by Frank Lampard. Mata scored with a spectacular 25-yard field goal in a 3–5 home loss to London rivals Arsenal in the same game. Mata defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 on November 26, 2017, setting up the first two goals scored by John Terry and Daniel Sturridge and also scoring his third goal himself in a 3–0 win. In a 0-3 away victory over St James' Park for his effort against Newcastle United, he was named Man of the Match.

Mata scored two goals for both of Didier Drogba's goals on December 6, 2011 in Chelsea's crucial Champions League match against former club Valencia CF. Chelsea beat Chelsea 3–0, putting them first in first place in the Chelsea classification. Mata scored his team's only goal in a 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Fulham on Boxing Day. Chelsea beat Portsmouth 4–0, marking Mata's first goal of their FA Cup campaign.

Mata scored his team's only goal from the penalty spot in a 0–1 victory over Loftus Road in an FA Cup fourth round tie against Queens Park Rangers. Mata scored against Manchester United in a 3–3 draw on February 5, 2012. Mata's only goal was scored on February 21 in his team's 1–3 loss at Napoli in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Mata was regarded as a central attacking midfielder rather than being based on the left wing following Roberto Di Matteo's transfer as interim first-team coach. In the FA Cup fifth round replay against Birmingham City at St Andrew's, which Chelsea defeated Birmingham City 2–0, Mata scored and had a penalty saved by Colin Doyle, propelling them into the FA Cup quarter-finals. He continued his scoring in each round; this run, on the other hand, came to a close end against Leicester City in the quarter-final, which Chelsea nevertheless beat 5–2. Mata scored his 11th goal of the season against Wigan Athletic on April 7th, giving the Blues a 2–1 victory over the Latics and keeping Chelsea's fight for a Champions League spot alive.

Mata scored a controversial goal and assisted Ramires and Florent Malouda for their goals in Chelsea's 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium on April 15, adding to his FA Cup stats in 2011-2012 with four goals and three assists. Mata was active in both legs of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final clash against reigning champions FC Barcelona, winning by a surprising 3–2 win on aggregate, leading his side to an unexpected 3–2 win on aggregate. On May 19th, we'll kick off a last game against Bayern Munich.

Mata gave two assists to fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres in the 6-1 thrashing of West London rivals Queens Park Rangers on Friday, taking his total number to 13 Premier League assists on the season to date. Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2–1 at Wembley, with Mata scoring the first goal in the FA Cup final, which Ramires scored, with Chelsea beating Liverpool winning the Man of the Match award. Mata was lauded by the fans who named him the club's Player of the Year on May 10th, after Chelsea legends Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola, who had been compared to on several occasions, on May 10.

Mata scored Didier Drogba's headed equalizer from a corner kick in the 88th minute in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final against Bayern Munich. Mata took Chelsea's first goal, which Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved, as the match went on to extra time and penalties. Chelsea won 4–3 in the penalty shootout, their first Champions League title. Mata completed his first season at Stamford Bridge with 573 passes, giving 66 chances and 61 successful crosses, all contributing to Chelsea's cup-double winning season. He finished the Premier League season with 14 assists, second highest in the league after Manchester City's David Silva, who had six goals.

Mata played in all of Chelsea's pre-season games while representing Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but he was banned after 74 minutes against Manchester City in the 2012 FA Community Shield. Mata scored his first goal of the season on September 22, 2012 against Stoke City, giving Ashley Cole a great shot and Chelsea defeated 1–0. In the 2012-13 Football League Cup third round, he scored his first goal of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers, winning 6–0. In a 2–1 away victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, he scored his first Premier League goal of the season, supporting Fernando Torres for the opener and then scoring directly from a free kick.

Chelsea defeated Nordsjlland 0–4 away in Farum, Denmark, with Mata scoring Chelsea's first and third goal in the Champions League. Eden Hazard was sent by Eden Hazard through goal and then flicking a delightful ball for defender Branislav Ivanovi to volley in Chelsea's 4–1 victory over Norwich City. Mata scored twice and provided an assist for Daniel Sturridge in a 2–4 win over Chelsea on 20 October, where he also received Man of the Match awards. With a spectacular free kick against Manchester United, he next scored in a Premier League match. Chelsea, on the other hand, lost the match 3–2 after Javier Hernández's late controversial goal. Mata progressed to win the Premier League Player of the Month award for October after scoring three league goals.

Mata scored the first goal of new, interim manager Rafael Bentez's tenure at Chelsea against West Ham United in the Champions League after manager Roberto Di Matteo was fired following a 3–0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League, but Chelsea lost 31-0, but Chelsea lost 3–1 on this match. He scored again in Chelsea's victory over Nordsjlland in a Champions League match, but Chelsea lost by 6-1 at home, but Chelsea continued to lose. In a 1–3 Chelsea victory, he continued his goal tally and his collection of fine performances at Sunderland. Chelsea won the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan following this match. Mata continued his good form by scoring Chelsea's first goal in the tournament against Montery, assisting them in their quest for a 1–3 victory. Chelsea, on the other hand, was doomed to lose 1–0 by Brazilian club Corinthians in the final. The team put the loss behind them by winning an 8-0 victory over Aston Villa, a game in which Mata did not score a single goal but nevertheless played a vital role.

Mata signed a professional deal with Chelsea on December 22, 2012, extending his deal with the club until 2018. Chelsea and Norwich City defeated Norwich City on Boxing Day to face Norwich City, where both Manchester United and Arsenal had lost earlier this season. Mata put together a spectacular goal in the 38th minute, turning Oscar's stride and shooting an unstoppable shot into the goal from 25 yards out. The goal was declared the champion. Mata provided support for Chelsea's 1–5 victory over Southampton in the 2012–2013 FA Cup's third round on January 5th. He forced Jonathan Walters' own goal by placing in a tight corner and receiving a penalty that Frank Lampard converted. Chelsea advanced to victory by 0–4, the game being Stoke's first home loss of the season. Mata scored his eighth goal of the season in the Premier League against Arsenal in a 2–1 home victory.

Mata beat West Bromwich Albion 1–0 at Stamford Bridge on March 3, 2013, marking his 100th appearance in all competitions for Chelsea. Mata scored the first goal in Chelsea's Europa League 3–1 (3–2) victory over Steaua București on March 14th. Mata was selected PFA Player of the Year for his contribution to Chelsea's season in all competitions on April 19th. The PFA's decision was based on his "ability to not only create goals but also score them myself," and he was nominated alongside teammate Eden Hazard. He also scored an 87th-minute winner over Manchester United, a pivotal one for Chelsea's Champions League qualification hopes.

Mata made a good showing in the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final against Portugal's Benfica, assisting Branislav Ivanovi's injury time winner from a corner kick on May 15th. He was named Chelsea's Player of the Year award the next day. He modestly praised the entire team, saying, "he felt proud to play for Chelsea" and thanked his coworkers. For the second year in a row, he was named Chelsea's Player of the Year. "I feel so happy" after winning his second award of the night. It's my second season in this franchise, and winning the trophy two years in a row is amazing for me. "I just want to say thank you to all the followers and all of my colleagues."

Mata spent a lot of time on the bench under new Chelsea boss José Mourinho. Mourinho favored Oscar as a playmaker, and Mata was advised by Mourinho that he should adapt to a larger audience and be more defensively challenged. Mata returned to help John Terry score an equalizer in a 1–1 draw on September 28, 2013, but his time in the first team was infrequent. In a 2–0 League Cup win over Chelsea rivals Arsenal on Sunday, he scored his first goal of the season.

Mata's 22 Premier League games failed to secure a regular first-team spot under Mourinho. In 135 appearances with Chelsea over two-and-a-half years, Mata scored 33 goals and provided 58 assists.

Chelsea had accepted a transfer bid from Manchester United and Mata had flown to Manchester to undergo a medical, according to Mourinho, who said he was "really keen to go." Manchester United revealed later today that a transfer fee had been agreed, but that the contract was still conditioned on Mata's personal terms and a medical. 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 not signed a deal until the summer of 2018.

On January 28, he made his Cardiff City debut on January 28th and had just one assist in the 2–0 home win. In a 4–1 victory over Aston Villa on March 29, Mata scored his first goal for United. In a 4–0 victory over Newcastle United, he scored two goals against Norwich City, two more against Norwich City, and the only goal in a 1–1 draw against Southampton in the season's final match.

Mata ended the season with six goals for Manchester United, all in the Premier League, since being cup tied and unable to participate in the Champions League and other cup competitions due to his appearance in the tournaments with Chelsea earlier this season.

Mata started 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 in a 4–0 draw, which was also Louis van Gaal's first competitive win in charge of United. In both games, he was later moved to the bench for the following two games, making cameo appearances against Leicester and West Ham, with van Gaal preferring an attacking trinity of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and new signing Radamel Falcao.

Following Rooney's dismissal and suspension after a foul foul against Stewart Downing in the match against West Ham, he was called back to the starting lineup against Everton, which required him to assist for ngel Di Mara's goal. Mata eventually scored winning goals in home games against Crystal Palace and Stoke City, the former after being a second-half replacement after being sacked. In a 3–0 victory over Tottenham, he returned to the starting line-ups for the first time, but Andreas Pereira was forced to leave in the 77th minute. Mata defeated Liverpool 2–1 on March 22, 2015, a victory that was rated as his best for Manchester United. In March 2015, his second goal against Liverpool was also voted Premier League Goal of the Month. Due to his incredible results, he was named Manchester United's Player of the Month for March.

Mata, as he did in the previous season, got off to a good start in the campaign against Aston Villa, which helped to keep his team's impressive record at Villa Park. Manchester United defeated Liverpool, Southampton, and Sunderland in September, with Mata scoring two goals and two assists in only three games. Mata was named Player of the Month by the club's manager, as a result.

Mata was appointed captain for the home game against Watford on March 2nd and scored a free kick, which was also the match winner. Mata issued his first red card after winning two yellow cards in the space of three minutes on Friday, defeating West Brom 1–0. Mata scored an Anthony Martial goal against West Ham in the final game at Boleyn Ground, but United lost 3–2, effectively ending their chances of beating Manchester City for fourth place.

Mata scored for United in the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace on May 21, 2016, leveling the score at 1-1 just three minutes after Jason Puncheon's 78th-minute goal. Mata was recalled in the 90th minute and replaced by Jesse Lingard, who would score the winning goal for United in extra time.

Mata was reunited with his former Chelsea boss and José Mourinho, the one who sold him to Manchester United. Mata was selected to be on the bench in the FA Community Shield on August 7, 2016. Mata replaced Jesse Lingard in the second half of the second half, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan was recalled in extra time. Despite news about tensions between the player and his manager, Mata stated that there were no tensions between him and Mourinho after the match. With a tap-in after Simon Francis' error, he started in the first game of the season against AFC Bournemouth and scored Manchester United's first Premier League goal of the season. Mata served as the stand-in captain in the 0–0 draw against Burnley on October 29, 2016, following José Mourinho's dismissal of captain Wayne Rooney.

Mata scored both goals in a Boxing Day match against Leicester City, his third brace of his Manchester United career. However, Harry Maguire's late equalizer ended his chances, ending the game 2–2. Mata's season ended with three goals in 40 appearances for the Red Devils, while United finished second in the Premier League and lost in the 2018 FA Cup Final against Chelsea, his former club, Chelsea.

Mata scored United's first goal of the season in a friendly against Club América on July 19, 2018. Mata's first competitive goal came in the 3rd minute of United's League Cup loss to Derby County on September 25, 2018. Mata scored United's first goal in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United on Friday. Mata scored equalizer from a free kick in another late comeback 2–1 win over Juventus in a Champions League group stage match on Saturday. Mata scored in a 4–1 win over Fulham on December 8, 2018 before scoring his final goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea on April 28.

Mata had agreed to a new two-year deal with Manchester United on June 19, 2019, keeping him at the club until June 2021 with the option of a further year. Months of rumors about his demise have come to an end.

Mata's first goal of the 2019-20 season came from the place in a 4–0 victory over AZ in United's final Europa League group stage game. Mata later scored the only goal in January in an FA Cup third round replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Mata scored in United's last game before a temporary suspension of football due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a 5–0 win over LASK.

Mata received praise for his efforts in a comeback 4–1 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on October 17, 2020, after scoring against Luton and Brighton in the third and fourth rounds of the League Cup respectively. Although not scoring, he did an assist with Maguire's equalizer as well as being involved in the build up for all other objectives. Ole Gunnar Solskjr's game was "fantastic," according to Sky Sports, United's triumph was "largely due to [Solskjr's] decision to return to Mata." In a 2–1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 23, 2021, he scored his only Premier League goal of the season.

Mata has signed a new deal with Manchester United in July 2021, keeping him at the club for another year. Mata left the team following his deal end following his release after making twelve appearances in the 2021-2022 season, the last of which occurred during the team's last league match against Crystal Palace on May 2022. After eight years, the Spaniard's time at Old Trafford came to an end, with a total of 285 appearances and 51 goals, as well as four trophies.

He signed a 1+1 year deal with Süper Lig team Galatasaray on September 8, 2022. In a friendly match against Istanbulspor on September 24, 2022, he made his Turkish debut on the Turkish side and put on an impressive show.

International career

Mata was a key player in Spain's 2006 European Under-19 Football Championship, where he was a central participant. With four goals in five matches, he finished second to his teammates Alberto Bueno (five goals) as the top goal scorer of the competition.

Under-21 coach Iraki Sáez selected him on his team for the friendly against England on February 1, 2007, alongside Real Madrid teammates Roberto Soldado, José Manuel Jurado, Sergio Sánchez, Miguel Torres, Esteban Granero, and Antonio Adán, who were just 18 years and ten months old.

Vicente del Bosque called up Mata for the senior team's friendly against Chile on November 14, 2008. In a 3–0 home victory, he did not leave the bench. He made his debut on March 28, 2009 in Madrid, where he defeated Turkey 11-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. In the 63rd minute, he came on as a replacement for teammate David Villa.

Mata was included in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2009, the youngster's first senior tournament. In Albert Riera's semi-final loss to the United States, he started in the second group match against Iraq and came as a replacement.

Mata scored his first goal for the senior team on September 9, 2009, after the 3–0 victory over Estonia secured a spot in the World Cup in South Africa. On October 10, he continued his game with a victory over Armenia, scoring a penalty to steal a 2–1 victory. He was only for the eventual champions when he was replaced by Fernando Torres for the final 20 minutes of the 2–0 group stage victory over Honduras, having been selected for the final 20 minutes.

He returned to the under-21 team in 2011 as a senior squad member and helped Spain beat Denmark 11 UEFA European Under-21 Championships (2011). Mata was selected as the tournament's Best Player and was named as the tournament's Best Player of the Tournament by UEFA.

Mata was named in the senior squad of UEFA Euro 2012, after coming on as a replacement, Spain scored Spain's fourth goal in the final as Spain defeated Italy 4–0 to keep their title as Europe's champions.

Mata was selected in Spain's squad for the 2012 Olympic football tournament as one of the country's three designated overage players. Spain, on the other hand, did not succeed in any of their first three matches and was disqualified at the group level.

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