Juan appeared in press conference after finishing the training session of Spain. In this list of 25-player, Mata is the third captain with 40 games and the second top scorer with 10 goals. “I feel privileged every time I come, it’s been eight years and I still have the same illusion of the first day. I have been fortunate to be in the best generation of Spanish football, we have won everything, and on a personal level means that there was a high rivalry and to get an own place in the team was complicated. I am happy to have been capped so many times, for having debuted with 20 years and now with 28 years I think I still have much to give to this team. Hopefully I can continue to improve and progress my numbers. I saw today that my name was alongside other legends of La Roja, and that is a pride for me”, Mata said.
Juan began by analyzing Macedonia. A team that Juan knows very well, since he scored the decisive goal that decided the match in Skopje in September 2015. Of course, there is no confidence for the game on Saturday: “It is a very competitive opponent. They are always waiting for the loss of possession of the rival. We will have to be efficient with the ball, have no losses and move the ball fast. That’s the way to attack effectively with a crowded defense”.
.@juanmata8 -> “Debuté en la @SeFutbol con 20 años y siento que tengo mucho que dar a la selección. Siempre me hace ilusión venir aquí”. pic.twitter.com/mhip4E9GBg
— ImagoSport (@ImagoSport) 10 de noviembre de 2016
After the qualifying match for the next World Cup, La Roja will face England at the legendary Wembley. A stadium that brings great memories for the Asturian. “It‘s special for me. It’s my sixth season in England and I’ve seen the importance of playing at Wembley. It is true that it is a new stadium, but it is always special to play with colleagues or rivals that I face every week in the Premier. For me, particularly I have played in the FA Cup, the Community Shield and it has a different atmosphere”, commented Juan.
Mata also had time to analyze the great moment he is currently having (in October was awarded the best player of the month of Manchester United). “I’m enjoying it on the pitch. The last month, on a personal level, was very good, I found a level in which I enjoy playing and contribute to the team. I want to continue talking on the pitch that is where I express myself better. After a different summer in which a few things came out that were not true, I wanted to play again and continue demonstrating things and enjoying on the pitch that is what I do best”, said Juan.
