Clinton Mata

Early years

Born in Verviers, Belgium, Mata started playing football with local clubs Royal Battice, Entente Rechaintoise, Etoile Elsautoise and Visé before moving to Eupen in 2010. On 17 February 2012, he made his professional debut in a 2–1 win over Waasland-Beveren in the Belgian Second Division. Afterwards, Mata was not always in the starting eleven, first winning a regular place in the starting lineup in the second half of the 2013–14 season, where Eupen qualified as runner-up for the final round for promotion to the first Belgian league. This ended in a disappointing 2–1 defeat to OH Leuven.

Charleroi

In the summer of 2014, Mata moved to Belgian Pro League club Charleroi, where he was mainly a substitute as before in Eupen, before coming closer to a regular starting spot in the second half of the 2015–16 season. As group winners in play-off 2, Charleroi qualified for the play-off for participation in the final for qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. In the playoff match, Mata and his club beat Kortrijk, but lost in the final Europa League play-off match against Genk. The following season marked the breakthrough of Mata for Charleroi, and in August 2017 he moved to Genk on loan. Mata was part of the team qualifying for the UEFA Europa League after Zulte Waregem were beaten 2–0 in the decisive play-off game.

Club Brugge

Mata then joined the defending Belgian champions, Club Brugge, but only made his debut on the ninth matchday in the derby…

In July 2014 Mata was asked to switch his international allegiance to Angola. He made his debut for the Angola national team later that year, earning 8 caps over two years. Belgium national team manager Roberto Martínez said he had been particularly impressed by Mata, and had regretted learning of his choice for Angola; Mata stated that he had no regrets playing for Angola. In June 2024, Mata returned to the Angolan national team. On 3 December 2025, Mata was called up to the Angola squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Club

As of match played 22 August 2026

International

As of match played 26 December 2025

Club Brugge

Belgian Pro League: 2019–20, 2020–21 Belgian Super Cup: 2018, 2021, 2022 Lyon

Coupe de France runner-up: 2023–24