MANCHESTER UNITED hero Juan Mata rolled back the years with a wondergoal in Australia.
Mata, 37, moved Down Under in 2024 after 16 years in Europe playing for the likes of Valencia, Chelsea, as well as Galatasaray and a season playing in Japan for Vissel Kobe.
OH MY WORD! JUAN MATA SCORES A SCREAMER FROM LONG RANGE 🚀🤯
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) February 21, 2026
The Spaniard chips the goalkeeper from miles out in the Melbourne Derby. Unbelievable 👑
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Manchester United hero Juan Mata scored a screamer in Australia
Melbourne Victory star Mata netted a wondergoal against rivals Melbourne City
Chelsea hero Mata led Victory to a massive derby win with a brace
Mata proved age is just a number in the A-League clash
The playmaker initially joined Western Sydney Wanderers where he only managed a total of 23 appearances, which led to a public spat between his agent Fahid Ben Khalfallah and then manager Alen Stajcic.
Ben Khalfallah insisted the handling of his client was “disrespectful” towards a former and World Cup winner before Stajcic hit back by branding the statement of the playmaker’s rep as “cowardly”.
That led to the ex- international moving to Melbourne Victory in September where his fortunes have completely turned as he has played in all of the team’s 18 matches this season where he as scored three times.
Two of those took place on Friday’s A-League triumph against rivals City away.
Mata proved age is just a number when he opened the scoring with an absolute screamer from about 40 yards with a first-time effort after just 21 minutes.
The hero’s stunner sparked wild celebrations across the away end at the AAMI Park, while Victory fans who couldn’t attend the game stormed social media.
One tweeted: “Very lucky to have this guy in the league. Even luckier he stuck around after how he was disrespected.”
Another commented: “What a goal from Juan Mata.”
A third wrote: “The Special Juan”
This fan said: “Juan does Mata.”
And that one added: “Top Player! Even better person!”
Mata scored again on 64 minutes after City equalised with Max Caputo, and the visitors sealed the three points just before full-time with Clarismario Santos.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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