Juan Mata has completed a wonderful 25-26 season by receiving the two highest individual awards in Australian soccer: the JohnnyWarren Medal recognizes the best player of the season and the eToro Playmaker of the Year, which recognizes the best assist of the campaign.
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 charismatic footballers in Australia’s history, has been won by players such as Mark Viduka and, last year, Nicolas Milanovic, now at Aberdeen. Mata was selected by a specially appointed panel of experts.
The eToro Playmaker of the Year award was won by the Asturian for his assist in his team’s Round 8 win over Adelaide United. 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.
