Juan Mata Pata

Early career

Mata started his football career at Real Oviedo in 2000, where his father spent part of his career, before joining Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica, in 2003 at the age of 15. After appearing for their Cadete A team, he then swiftly progressed through the junior teams, Juvenil C and finally Juvenil A. In his last campaign (2005–06), he scored two goals in the league and three more in the Copa de Campeones, including the winner in the final against Real Valladolid, adding another three in the Copa del Rey Juvenil. Switching to Real Madrid Castilla in 2006–07, Mata was given the number 34 shirt in the first team, while wearing number 28 in Castilla. In spite of Castilla's final Segunda División relegation, he finished the season as the side's second best scorer with nine, behind striker Álvaro Negredo, who registered 18.

Valencia

Mata had a release clause at Real Madrid during his last season at the club, and eventually agreed to sign for fellow La Liga side Valencia CF in March 2007 on a contract starting on 30 June 2007. Benefitting from the chances from Vicente's injury problems and Ronald Koeman sidelining Miguel Ángel Angulo, Mata gradually carved a niche in Valencia's first eleven. On 20 March 2008, he scored twice in the Copa del Rey semi-final match against FC Barcelona to help Valencia reach the final against Getafe CF where, on 16 April, he scored the opener in a 3–1 win. During that first season, he was voted the team's Best…

Youth

Mata represented Spain from 2004 to 2016 at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20, under-21, Olympic and senior levels. He was a key player for Spain as they won the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, finishing the tournament as second top scorer to his teammate Alberto Bueno, with four goals in five matches. On 1 February 2007, Spain under-21 coach Iñaki Sáez included Mata in his squad for a friendly match against England. On 6 February, at the age of 18 years and 10 months, Mata made his under-21 debut as a substitute for Pedro León in the 61st minute of a 2–2 draw at Pride Park. In 2011, Mata was a member of Spain's 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship winning team. He was included in UEFA's Team of the Tournament and named as the tournament's Golden Player.

Spain Olympic team

Mata was included in Spain's squad for the 2012 Olympic football tournament as one of their three designated overage players. Spain, however, failed to score in any of their opening three matches and were eliminated at the group stage.

Senior

On 14 November 2008, Vicente del Bosque called Mata up to the Spain senior squad ahead of a friendly match against Chile. On 28 March 2009, he made his senior international debut, coming on as a substitute for Valencia teammate David Villa in the 63rd minute of a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Turkey. In June 2009, Del Bosque included Mata in his 23-man squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He started in…

In addition to his favoured playmaking role as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers, Mata is also comfortable playing on either wing, often drifting inside to operate in the "hole" and act as a secondary string-puller. He has also been used as a second striker on occasion. He makes up for a lack of pace with his control, technique, passing, creativity, and vision, which allows him to link-up with teammates and register many assists, in addition to scoring goals. His ability to read the game and adapt to different tactical systems, whether facing a deep defensive block or an open match, makes him a key facilitator in transitional play. A diminutive player, standing at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m), he lacks significant physical strength, heading ability, or aerial prowess, but is quick, agile, and nimble in his movements. He possesses excellent spatial awareness, constantly moving to create passing lanes and opening up space for overlapping full-backs to join the attack. Predominantly left footed, he is also a well-known free kick specialist. However, he has drawn criticism at times in the media over his limited defensive skills and work-rate.

Mata was born in Burgos, Castile and León. He inherited his name from his father, Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez, who was also a footballer, playing as a forward for nearby Real Burgos in the 1980s and early 1990s. Mata was raised in his father's home town of Oviedo, Asturias. His father later acted as Mata's agent, becoming FIFA-registered in the process. In his spare time, Mata enjoys table tennis, a sport he played as a child.