Juan Mata has capped off a wonderful 2025–26 season by winning the two top individual awards in Australian soccer: the JohnnyWarren Medal, which honors the season’s best player, and the eToro Playmaker of the Year, which recognizes the best assist of the season.
The Melbourne Victory player, scorer of 13 assists and five goals (no one has generated more goals in the A League), received both awards in Sydney, and acknowledged how much he has enjoyed this year on the pitch.
“I am very proud to have given my all on and off the pitch for Melbourne Victory. It’s a shame we didn’t reach the title final, which was our goal, but I have fallen in love with soccer again this season,” said Juan.
It is worth remembering that Juan had already been named Player of the Month by the league in January, February and March, having previously earned December’s Player of the Month award from the Professional Footballers Australia.
The Johnny Warren Medal, named after one of the most iconic footballers in Australian history, has previously been won by players such as Mark Viduka and last season’s recipient Nicolas Milanovic, now with Aberdeen F.C.. Mata was selected by a specially appointed panel of experts.
The Asturian also claimed the eToro Playmaker of the Year award thanks to the assist he produced in Round 8 during his side’s victory over Adelaide United FC. The award is decided by public vote.
In the women’s category, the winner was Izzy Gómez, of the Central Coast Mariners, who was named the league’s best player.
A few days after receiving these two honors, Juan Mata was awarded another accolade: a spot on the PFA Team of the Season. The Professional Footballers’ Association has been selecting the best players of each season from among its own members since 2009, and this time it has included the Asturian. This recognition was expected, as Juan Mata had already been named Player of the Month three times this 2025–26 season by the PFA.
