Juan Mata departs Melbourne Victory but remains with the club as owner

Juan Mata will not return to Melbourne Victory for the upcoming A-League season. The 38-year-old midfielder, who earned A-League player of the year honors during the 2025-26 campaign, opted against extending his playing tenure with the Australian side. Mata previously played for Western Sydney Wanderers before joining Melbourne Victory in 2025. While he is stopping short of announcing his full retirement from professional football, he is transitioning into a new role within the organization. Having acquired a minority stake in the club earlier this summer, Mata will serve as the chair of the team's newly established football committee. He continues to maintain outside business interests, including ownership stakes in the San Diego FC MLS franchise and the Alpine Formula One team.

• 6:29 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup winner Juan Mata hangs up boots at Melbourne Victory