Fresh off being announced as a shareholder in Melbourne Victory, World Cup winner Juan Mata sat down with the club to talk fans through the process.
Why did you decide to join the ownership group at Melbourne Victory?
“Everything fell into place between me and the club since day one and I have enjoyed so much my time here so far. It’s as simple as that. I knew the history and the trophies before I arrived, but living it is different. The passion here is real, and so is the ambition.
“I’ve seen Australian football from the inside now, and I believe in the potential of the A-Leagues. That’s why I’m keen to be involved in what I believe will be the progression of the game in the country.”
How does Victory fit alongside your other sports investments in San Diego FC and Apline F1?
“Every investment has to mean something to me personally – and with Victory, I’ve worn the shirt and my appreciation for the club and its people is obvious. I’ve played in front of these fans and seen the community programs up close. It feels like a natural step for me.
“As a shareholder I see strong brand equity, men’s and women’s elite teams under one badge, and a league with a massive potential to grow. That combination is rare.”
TRANSFER CENTRE: Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 End of Season exits: Your club’s moves
How did the deal come about?
“I came here to enjoy my football, to play, and to contribute on the pitch as much as I could. Over the season, the conversations with the Club’s leadership grew more ambitious – we see the future of football in this country the same way and the possibility to create a long lasting relationship with the club seemed like a natural step.”
What is the commercial nature of the deal – how much of the club will you own?
“The commercial terms will stay between me and the Club, as they would in any private transaction. What I can say is that it’s intended to be a genuine long-term minority stake.”
BIG NEWS: Socceroos lock-in blockbuster friendlies with Brazil
Is there a conflict between being a player and an owner?
“My ownership is completely separate from my playing arrangements – different agreements, different obligations.
“While I’m playing, I’m a player and nothing more than that. I’m someone that wants to give its all to whatever I do, and if I continue to be a Victory player that would be my only role. The football committee role will begin after my playing career ends.”
What does this mean for your playing future?
“I have not decided yet. What this announcement tells you is that whatever I decide about my playing career, my long-term relationship with this Club doesn’t change.”
DOWNLOAD: Be the first to know who your team is facing in Round 1. Only on the A-Leagues App
Will it change your dynamic with the players in the dressing room?
“In the dressing room, nothing would change. I’m a teammate first.
“I hope it shows the younger players what’s possible – that footballers can think beyond their playing days, and that this league is worth being involved with.”
What will your role on the football committee involve?
“My job would be to contribute with the experience and different perspectives that having played and lived in different leagues and countries gives you, and to open doors to the club internationally.
“The decisions will always belong to the people in the business day to day but my role is to provide opinions and information gathered from many years of playing.”
What are your thoughts on working alongside Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics?
“I have great respect for what Tony has built, and I look forward to learning more about the way he works.”
What role does community impact play and in particular, Common Goal?
“Football isn’t just a sport, or a business – it’s a powerful social platform.
“Part of my agreement with Victory is a genuine commitment to community impact: programs in schools, in mental health, in creating pathways for kids who might otherwise be left out.”
RACE TO GLORY: Predict the results as Australia & New Zealand play on the global stage in North America
What does success look like over the next five to 10 years?
“It would be nice to win, wouldn’t it? This is professional football and we all want to win, and Melbourne Victory has to be competing for silverware. But beyond trophies, for me Victory has to be a club that leads the growth of Australian football by example: by providing the right path to develop younger players, by having the best women’s programmes, by continuing and maximising the impact in the community.”
What do you tell players in Europe when they ask about the A-Leagues?
“When players in Europe ask me about Australia, I tell them what I’ve experienced: the football is competitive, the lifestyle is incredible, and the league is only going to grow and improve. If this announcement makes a few more of them curious — even better.”
