Isaias and Javi Lopez may have retired but the two Spanish legends continue to have an impact on Adelaide United after helping lure Juan Muniz to the Isuzu UTE A-League club.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder, who arrived in Australia last week, brings title-winning pedigree to Coopers Stadium having claimed the Malaysian Super League title in 2023 and 2024, to go with two Malaysian Cup and two Malaysian FA Cup titles and the Piala Sumbangsih (Malaysian Charity Shield) in 2023.
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As he gears up for Adelaide’s Round 1 opener against rivals Sydney FC on October 17, Muniz shed light on how retired countrymen Isaias and Javi Lopez helped bring him to the Reds.
“The first person I spoke with was Isaias – he told me amazing things about the club, the people, and the city,” Muniz said via Adelaide media.
“Then I spoke with Javi Lopez. He told me, ‘Juan, I’ve lived in Barcelona my whole life, but after four years in Adelaide, I want to stay here.’
“That was special for me – when players don’t want to go back home, it means something.”
Isaias and Javi Lopez were not the only Spaniards to convince him of a move to South Australia.
Step forward FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner Juan Mata, who has joined Melbourne Victory from Western Sydney Wanderers.
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“Mata told me that last season Adelaide had the best grass, the best stadium, and the best atmosphere in the league,” he added.
Muniz – a 175cm left-footed playmaker – started his career at Sporting Gijon where he accrued 54 appearances and scored six goals across Spain’s LaLiga and Segunda Division.
His debut for Gijon at just 18 years, two months and two days made Muniz the club’s youngest-ever debutant at the time in 2010.
Muniz represented Spain at youth international level and in 2011, won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in a star-studded squad headlined by Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal and Gerard Deulofeu.
“The philosophy here is about young players,” he said. “It’s good to have a mix of experience and youth – I want to share my experience, help them grow, and give my best for this club.”
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