Juan Mata’s football journey started on 27 August 2006, and 18 years later, he has reached his 700th professional match. This Saturday, 14 December 2024, the Western Sydney Wanderers player hit the milestone against Brisbane Roar—a testament to his passion and dedication to the beautiful game.
Mata’s debut came at 18 in Spain’s Segunda División with Real Madrid Castilla, where he scored on his first outing to help the team earn a point against Castellón. That season set the tone for his career, leading to a move to Valencia CF. At Valencia, he played 174 matches, scoring plenty of goals, creating countless moments to remember, and earning a reputation that earned him a spot at Chelsea.
As a Blue, Mata lifted some of football’s biggest trophies, including the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup. Over 135 games, he significantly impacted the pitch and the hearts of Chelsea fans.
In 2014, Mata moved to Manchester United, where he spent 10 years and made 285 appearances. He embraced the challenge of playing for one of football’s most legendary clubs, earning the respect and love of the Old Trafford fans.
After United, Mata kept adding to his story with Galatasaray in Turkey and Vissel Kobe in Japan, winning both championships.
Now, with 700 matches in sight, Mata continues to play with the same hunger and joy he had as a 14-year-old boy leaving Oviedo to chase his football dreams. The milestone is just another chapter in an extraordinary career.
