Juan Mata has completed a formal agreement to purchase a minority stake in A-League giants Melbourne Victory, a move that further cement his ties to Australian football.
Melbourne Victory officially announced on Monday afternoon that Mata has agreed to take on a significant, long-term minority stake in the club. The deal also includes a future role for the World Cup winner as the chair of a newly established football committee.
The football committee will be tasked with advising the club’s leadership once his playing days eventually come to an end.
Speaking on the venture, Mata stated: “I’ve seen Australian football from the inside now, and I believe in the potential of the A-League. That’s why I’m keen to be involved in what I believe will be the progression of the game in the country. 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.”
Isuzu Ute A-League Playmaker Of The Year Award Winner Juan Mata poses for a photo. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images for A-Leagues)
Despite his new status as a part-owner, Mata is not yet ready to hang up his boots. The club stressed that the investment agreement is “distinct from his playing arrangements,” leaving the door open for a potential return to the pitch under new head coach Giovanni Savarese.
“I have not decided yet,” Mata admitted regarding his future on the grass. “What this announcement tells you is that whatever I decide about my playing career, my long-term relationship with this club doesn’t change. 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.”
Melbourne Victory becomes the latest addition to Mata’s growing business empire, following his previous investment in MLS side San Diego FC and a stake in the Alpine Formula One team.
