Juan Mata Weighs Future After 13-Assist Melbourne Victory Season
juan mata has not decided where he will play after Melbourne Victory’s finals campaign, and he said on Friday he has not given his future beyond this month any real thought. He wants to finish the finals before making a call with his family.
Melbourne Victory And Mata
Mata’s season has already done the talking. He finished with five goals and 13 assists in the 2025/26 A-League Men’s season, and those 13 assists are the second-most in a single A-League season behind Aaron Mooy’s 21 in 2015/16.
He also logged 1,691 minutes after moving from Western Sydney to Melbourne Victory at the start of 2025/26. Arthur Diles had promised him a central midfield role as a leading and starting player, and Mata delivered one of the most productive creative seasons in the competition.
Friday At AAMI Park
Speaking on Friday, Mata said he had not put his mind into contract talks. He added that he wanted to finish the finals first, then take time to make a decision with himself and his family.
“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,” he said.
Mata also said he was open to conversations about becoming an investor in Melbourne Victory. “Yeah, it's something that I'm still open to do, to have conversations,” he said, adding: “And yeah, why not? If I believe in something, I think it's nice to be involved somehow in it, if you can provide something or you can bring something different to the table.”
Sydney FC On Saturday
The immediate task is clear. Melbourne Victory begins its finals campaign on Saturday with an elimination final against Sydney FC at AAMI Park, and Mata said he is “dreaming now” about what comes next if Victory keeps moving.
He missed two weeks with an elbow fracture on the eve of the finals, a brief setback before the biggest game of the season. For Victory, his decision comes after the finals. For Mata, the next move waits until the campaign ends.
