While debate may rage in bars across the United States and Australia as to which league is the better football league, it really does not matter,
However as Spanish attacking midfielder Juan Mata has recently become a free agent, after leaving Japan’s Vissel Kobe, and according to those representing him is keen to head to either the USA or Australia, he will have to make a decision as to which competition appeals to him most. So it will matter to Mata.
Mata will turn 36 in April, but still yearns to play and be competitive. Proof of this is the fact that after leaving Manchester United he went to Turkey and Galatasaray, and won the Süper Lig in 2022–23. From there he moved to Japan, where even though he only played one game for Vissel Kobe after signing in September 2023 the team won the J1 League.
Mata had nine years at Manchester United where he won the FA Cup: 2015–16; and was runner up in 2017–18. He also won the EFL Cup in 2016–17, the FA Community Shield: 2016, and the UEFA Europa League: 2016–17, and was runner-up in 2020–21.
Prior to that he was with Chelsea for four seasons, and again collected silverware. At Stamford Bridge he won the FA Cup: 2011–12, the cherished UEFA Champions League in 2011–12, the UEFA Europa League in 2012–13, and was runner up at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2012. Before leaving Spain for the English Premier League he also won the Copa del Rey in 2007–08 playing for Valencia.
Coupled with these team awards Mata has won plenty of individual awards during his career.
Mata also made 41 appearance for Spain, and scored 10 goals, his last being against Australia on the 23rd of June 2014 at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
That goal does not have anything to do with his desire to head to Australia should an offer come in. “He has visited Australia in the past and fell in love with the weather and the lifestyle and that is what has attracted him to look to come and play in the A-League,” his representative in Australia, Dr Gerhard Janssen of Janssen + Maluga Legal explained.
“Juan Mata is a free agent at this point in time, and while there are expected to be offers for him to return to Europe he has indicated that he would like to play in the MLS or the A-League,” Dr Janssen revealed. “He would be a huge asset to the A-League, both as a player and also in terms of promotion, as he is a quality player who has played with some of the biggest clubs in England and won trophies, but importantly during his time in England learned to speak English fluently.”
“If any clubs in Australia wish to have him wearing their colours next season they would be wise to start the conversation now, as it is expected that clubs in the MLS will soon be circling. Having visited Australia and loved what he saw that is why he is looking at the A-League. Hopefully A-League clubs can appreciate the marketing potential attached to such a signing, and can make an offer that will sway him to choose the A-League next season.” Dr Janssen concluded.
With the A-League having suffered a few body blows in the past few months Mata could well be the signing that matters. A signing that could once again lift the profile of the A-League, and who knows, attract a few more players with similar resume’s to turn their back on the money on offer elsewhere, and opt for the life down under.
