Juan Mata reminded fans of his enduring quality with a stunning goal for Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United man, 37, is enjoying something of a renaissance in Australia having won the A-League’s Player of the Month award in January.
Mata signed for Victory last September after a turbulent few years since leaving Old Trafford – including a bizarre stint for Japan’s Vissel Kobe where he made just one appearance – and appears to have found his form again.
He already had three goals and 10 assists to his name in just 20 league games this season, yet he stepped up again in one of Victory’s biggest games of the season.
Their clash against Sydney FC is known as The Big Blue given the huge rivalry the teams have.
And, just 34 minutes into the match, Mata curled a delightful free kick into the top corner from about 25 yards out.
Juan Mata rolled back the years with a stunning free kick for Melbourne Victory on Saturday
The ball clipped the post on its way in and Mata sprinted off towards his own fans with a beaming smile on his face.
During his celebrations, he high-fived a string of Victory supporters before he was mobbed by his team-mates.
It was Mata’s fourth goal of the season and Charles Nduka made it 2-0 to Victory in the second half.
However, Sydney fought back and pulled the score back to 2-2 via two quick-fire goals – and both sides were forced to settle for a point.
Mata’s goal quickly went viral on social media, with one wholesome post showing his former United team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire watching on from the Red Devils’ Carrington training ground.
The clip on Fernandes’ story was titled: ‘We just knew it that from there he doesn’t miss right @harrymaguire93?’
As the Portuguese filmed Mata lining up for the set-piece, Fernandes could be heard to say: ‘Over the wall, he has to.’
After Mata curled the free kick in, Maguire was beaming and celebrated by saying: ‘Oh my days,’ with a fist-pump.
Fernandes then added: ‘I knew it! The trust I have in this guy filming live.’
Mata’s former Man United team-mates Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes loved his goal
Mata has been in fine form for Victory this season and is enjoying a career renaissance
Mata, who won the 2010 World Cup and has multiple European honours to his name, first moved Down Under in September 2024 to join Western Sydney Wanderers.
However, his time at the club was soured due to a falling out with manager Alen Stajcic over a lack of game time.
Mata broke through in the Real Madrid academy before catching the eye of Europe’s elite at Valencia, where he won a Copa del Rey during his spell from 2007 until 2011.
Chelsea quickly came calling and Mata would go on to make 135 appearances at Stamford Bridge, scoring 33 times and assisting 53 during a trophy-laden spell which saw him win a Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
He fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho though and moved to Man United in January 2014.
Mata made 285 appearances for United, scoring 51 times and assisting 44 goals for his team-mates.
He won four trophies with the club, three of which (Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield) came in the 2016-17 season under Mourinho after the Portuguese moved to Old Trafford. Mata also won the 2016 FA Cup and left United in 2022 when his contract expired.
