Juan Mata officially named owner of club

Juan Mata’s post-playing career continues to evolve in impressive fashion, with the former Manchester United midfielder increasingly establishing himself as a global figure in football ownership.

The Spaniard, who once lit up Old Trafford during his Premier League spell, has built a reputation for combining elite football experience with long-term investment thinking across multiple sporting projects.

Now 38, Juan Mata is still active on the pitch in Australia while simultaneously shaping his future off it.

Since leaving Europe, Mata has enjoyed a highly successful spell in the A-Leagues, becoming one of the standout performers in Australia’s top flight.

His influence has extended beyond just goals and assists, with his leadership and consistency earning widespread recognition throughout the league.

Off the pitch, he has also become part of a growing trend of elite players stepping into multi-club ownership models, linking footballing legacy with business leadership.

Melbourne Victory announced Juan Mata as co-owner

That transition has now taken another major step forward following a significant announcement from Melbourne Victory, where Mata has accepted a formal ownership role within the club structure.

The Australian side confirmed the move in a statement on their website, highlighting his long-term commitment to the club.

As part of the agreement, Juan Mata will also take on an important leadership position away from the pitch, helping shape football operations at board level.

As the club outlined, he will become chair of a newly created committee overseeing football strategy, while also maintaining involvement in wider sporting projects beyond Australia.

Mata already holds stakes in both the BWT Alpine Formula One Team and MLS club San Diego FC, further underlining his growing portfolio across global sport.

Mata himself made clear that his commitment goes far beyond a short-term project. Speaking about the decision, he said, “Australian football has a future I genuinely believe in.

“From the moment I arrived at Melbourne Victory, I’ve felt the passion of this Club and the potential of the A-Leagues.

“I want to be part of building what comes next – not just for a season, but for the long term.”

He also added, “I have enjoyed so much this past season on the pitch, and committing to Victory as a shareholder is the natural next step.

“I want to thank everyone associated with the Club and across Australian football for the way they’ve welcomed me.”

The announcement also places Mata among a select group of active or recently active footballers who have taken ownership stakes in clubs they are directly involved with, underlining the modern shift in how elite players approach life after Europe’s top leagues.

His impact at Melbourne Victory has already been widely recognised.

Last season, he produced a standout season, registering 5 goals and 13 assists, while also collecting multiple individual awards including Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, underlining just how influential he has been on the pitch.

That form also earned praise internally, with club chairman John Dovaston describing him as a unique addition to the project.

“Juan is a discerning investor with stakes in elite sporting franchises around the world.

“His decision to back Victory reflects real confidence in where this Club and the A-Leagues are heading.”

For Manchester United fans, Mata’s latest move adds another layer to his already rich post-Old Trafford story.

Having won major honours at Chelsea and United and lifted the World Cup with Spain, he is now transitioning into a hybrid role.