Juan Mata will play the 2025–26 season with Melbourne Victory, current runners-up in the Australian League. The Spanish footballer has signed with the club of Victoria State, Australia. This will be Juan’s second season in Australia after playing last season with Western Sydney Wanderers..
“We are incredibly fortunate to add someone of Juan’s experience and character to the squad.”, said Arthur Diles, Melbourne Victory Head Coach. “We are excited to welcome him into the changeroom, where we have no doubt his leadership and knowledge of the game will elevate the whole team.”
His arrival in Melbourne on Tuesday 16 September was met with a very positive reaction from fans and had a notable impact beyond Australia’s borders. Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, said Juan Mata’s signing presents a significant opportunity to not only strengthen the Club on the field, but also to collaborate with Juan in championing the growth of football off the pitch across Australia: “Having Juan at the Club further enables us to drive positive change for the Club, the community, and the League.”
Mata said he is looking forward to working with the Club to contribute to on-field success while bringing people together and connecting the community through football. “I am excited to be coming to Melbourne and being part of one of the most respected Clubs in the League and playing in front of the incredible members and fans. I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies, and to work with the Club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country.”
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I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies, and to work with the Club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country.”
Melbourne Victory is one of the leading clubs in Australian football, with four titles since the creation of the Australian A League in 2005. Its stadium, AAMI Park – originally named “Rectangular Stadium” – has a capacity of 30,000 spectators. It hosted six matches of the Women’s World Cup held in 2023, which was won by the Spanish team.
In addition, it is an organisation that plays an important social role in its community. The Melbourne Victory Community facilitates access to sport for young people with facilities throughout the state of Victoria, home to 8 million people.
