Juan Mata, 36, has no intention of hanging up his soccer boots just yet.
“Juan Mata, who is currently without a club, has no intention of retiring,” the UK’s The Sun reported on Jan. 1 (KST).
In January, Vissel Kobe announced on the club’s official website, “Midfielder Juan Mata’s contract has expired. We have decided not to re-sign him,” the club announced on its official website in January.
Mata joined Chelsea in 2011 from Valencia CF in Spain, where he was a mainstay for three seasons, scoring 32 goals and providing 51 assists in 135 appearances in all competitions.
Mata then moved to United, where he spent nine seasons, 바카라사이트 scoring 51 goals and providing 47 assists in 285 appearances. However, his playing time dropped dramatically from the 2020-2021 season and he was labeled as a non-performer in the 2021-2022 season, playing just seven league games (232 minutes).
After leaving United, Mata joined Galatasaray SK and then Japanese J-League powerhouse Vissel Kobe in September 2023.
However, playing time did not come easily.
Spending most of his time on the bench or left off the roster, Mata only played 10 minutes as a substitute in a league match against Hiroshima on September 16th.
In a recent interview with Spain’s As, Mata said, “I have no intention of quitting soccer just yet,” according to The Sun. I’m not thinking about retirement. I’m training in London, England.”
“I played for Vissel Kobe in Japan. It was a special experience and it was very different culturally and sporting-wise,” he said of his time in Japan.
“I want to gain a lot of experience by playing soccer in different countries, and I want to fight for the league championship,” he said, adding that he will think about his next destination when he trains a little more.
“When he trains in London, it doesn’t mean he wants to play for a Premier League club,” The Sun quoted Mata as saying, explaining that he trains in London because his home is in London. 토토사이트 He also said he is open to a move to the Saudi Arabian Professional League.”