Picture: Juan Mata proves class is permanent as he lands prestigious award

TL;DR

Juan Mata has been awarded Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Year following an impressive season. The former Manchester United midfielder joined the team at the start of the 2025/26 season.

Key points

Juan Mata named Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Year
Former Manchester United midfielder
Joined Melbourne Victory in the 2025/26 season
Previously played for Western Sydney Wanderers

Mentioned in this story

Juan MataManchester United

Melbourne VictoryWestern Sydney Wanderers

Picture: Juan Mata proves class is permanent as he lands prestigious award

Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has been named Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Year after his superb season.

Enduring class

Mata joined Melbourne Victory at the start of the 2025/26 season after a spell at fellow A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers.

He lit up the competition in just his second season in Australia, netting five goals and 13 assists. He has recorded the second-most assists in a single A-League season after Aaron Mooy in the 2015/16 campaign.

While Melbourne Victory did not win silverware, Mata’s season will live long in the memory. The Spaniard’s exploits have seen him scoop up Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Season award.

But it’s unclear where Mata will be playing his football next season. Speaking to AAP earlier this month, he informed the news outlet that he had not thought much about the future.

The 38-year-old remarked, “To be honest, I haven’t put my mind into (contract discussions).”

“I want to finish the finals – hopefully it’s going to be good for us – and then take some time to make a decision with myself, with my family, and put everything in the balance.”

“What I can say is that up until now, I have enjoyed this season. I have enjoyed on the pitch, off the pitch, in the training ground, the culture and the environment in the club. So I haven’t made a decision yet. I will do it after.”