FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League-winning Spanish superstar Juan Mata has spoken to the media for the first time since joining Western Sydney Wanderers. This is what he said.
A sea of Red and Black greeted Juan Mata at Sydney airport as Western Sydney Wanderers’ new superstar touched down on Australian soil, and there was also a large gathering for his introductory press conference at CommBank Stadium.
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Journalists and camera crews packed into the Western Sydney venue for Mata’s first press conference as the former Spain, Chelsea and Manchester United attacker explained how the blockbuster Isuzu UTE A-League move came about.
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“It’s a pleasure for me to be here and to have the welcome that we did in the airport with the all the fans and the club helping over the last days for the logistics,” Mata told reporters ahead of a mouth-watering Round 1 opener against cross-town rivals Sydney FC on October 19.
“I’m so happy to be in Australia, to be in this country to get to know a different competition and try to win a different competition.
“I’m thankful to the club, (CEO) Scott (Hudson), (head coach) Alen (Stjacic). All the conversations we that since the beginning, I could feel they were very keen for me to come and that was the most important thing for me, to go somewhere where I feel very welcome and that we are in the same direction of trying to win trophies.
“I’m very lucky to have the career I’ve had but I’m still hungry for more. To keep enjoying football, to keep winning trophies with this club now.
“I’m so happy to be here.”
Mata arrives Down Under following a brief stint with Japanese giants Vissel Kobe, where he made one appearance in 2023 as they got their hands on a maiden J1 League title.
The 36-year-old’s sole appearance for Kobe was a 10-minute cameo against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in September but he allayed concerns over his lack of football, highlighting his training program at Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland to prepare for the move.
Nordsjaelland are member of Common Goal – a pledge-based charitable movement that Mata helped launch in 2017, with footballers contributing 1% of their salary to the collective fund.
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“I feel fine. I feel good. Thankfully I didn’t have any big injuries in my career,” Mata replied when asked about his lack of football.
“Yes, my last team was in Japan. After Japan, I’ve been training in London and deciding where to go next. Training hard together with a fitness coach – it’s not the same a with a team.
“So in the summer, I joined a team in Denmark. I’m good friends with the ownership of FC Nordsjaelland. A very good and young team. I’ve been in this team dynamic for the last two months. I feel good.
“I feel ready to come back. Really eager to be on the pitch. I’m really looking forward to touch the ball again, to train with my new teammates.
“I feel confident it’s going to be a good season.”
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“I just want to enjoy football. I want to give my best for the team,” he continued.
“I want to bring high standards and all my experience and knowledge in the game. Of course I want to bring football.
“Hopefully we can enjoy together.
“I’ve already seen the fans this morning and I can’t wait for them to celebrate something, hopefully in the first game of the season which I know is a big one.”
Addressing his Vissel Kobe stint a bit further, Mata added: “It’s kind of a long story.
“To be honest, the team were doing really well when I arrived and as you might know, we won the league at the end.
“When a team is winning, it’s difficult to make some changes.
“The decision making at the club was an interesting one, about to recruit players but that’s not something I’ll (get into).
“It was frustrating on a personal level not get as much game time as I thought I would. But in different stages in your career, it makes you realise that you have to focus on keep giving your best even if you’re not given the time you want. Setting your standards and being professional, and learning another type of football is what I did.
“Wherever I go, I try to pick and chose what I find positive and bring it to my professionalism and game.”
Common Goal is a charity very close to Mata’s heart.
Mata is a rare breed of footballer as he tries to lead the Wanderers to a maiden Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
Despite boasting a trophy cabinet like few others, there is no bloated ego but you could forgive him if that was indeed the case.
This is a man who has been out to transform, not only football but the world.
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“It’s one of the conversations Scott and I had. As Western Sydney, they are looking to have an impact in the community. With Common Goal, we’re trying to do the same all over the world,” Mata said.
“We’re very much aligned and will do things together.
“… hopefully my legacy here is also that we grow the Common Goal community in Australia.”
Seated alongside head coach Stajcic, who replaced Marko Rudan in the off-season, the former CommBank Matildas, Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory boss hailed the arrival of Mata and what it could provide for future generations.
“Someone of Juan’s stature doesn’t just bring something off the field, it’s also on the field,” said Stajcic.
“Just having this audience here is one thing and a commercial perspective – which is massive for the A-League, but not really my primary concern.
“My primary concern is the contribution he can have on our team. The other night we played and the average age was 23. I haven’t fact-checked it but it’s probably the youngest team the Wanderers have ever put out.
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“To bring someone like Juan in… it’s not just a short-term thing, it’s a legacy thing.
“I’ve been coaching kids and our pathway for 20 years in this country. To have his football insight and experiences is something you just don’t get that easy.
“He will be able impart that knowledge, experience and skills to a new generation of Australian players.
Yes, short term we want to win and one of the beautiful parts of him is he is still hungry to play. But the secondary affect is what he will impart on our young squad.
“It will create a legacy and a generation of Wanderers players that will carry the club forward, short term but medium and long term as well.”
