Juan Mata announces retirement
The former Manchester United player, a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain, announced his retirement on September 11, 2026.
Juan Mata has brought his professional playing career to an end. The announcement came on September 11, 2026, when the 38-year-old said he had decided it was time to stop competing.
He finished his career in Australia with Melbourne City, after a long career in Europe whose highest-profile chapter came at Manchester United.
World Cup winner and final season
Mata was also part of the Spain squad that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In recent months he returned to loving the game while playing in the city he called home during his spell in Australia.
"I enjoyed every minute and I am proud of everything we achieved in the past season. I fell in love with football again in the city I had the privilege to call my home," the Spanish footballer said.
The player formally announced his decision to retire at age 38 after a career that included top-level clubs in Europe and a final stint in the A-League with Melbourne City.
Photo: press material from the event
