Mata eyes ALM club investment, in talks over WSW deal
Juan Mata remains keen on extending his time in the A-League Men and has hinted he is open to investing in an Australian club.
The 37-year-old World Cup winner has had to contend with cameo appearances from the bench with Western Sydney through most of the season, but revealed he was in talks about extending his time with the Wanderers.
The Spaniard is open about his love for life in Sydney, and despite his struggles for minutes at club level has shown a passion to stay connected with the game in Australia.
Mata's charity, CommonGoal, which encourages players to invest one per cent of their salary into charitable causes, announced a partnership with the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia, on Tuesday.
And the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder said talks with the Wanderers were ongoing to determine whether he remains playing in Australia.
"We (the Wanderers and I) are having conversations (about extending), and I'm thinking about it," Mata said.
"I also have to think about my family and personal decisions but let's see, I've loved being here.
"I love the way that Australian football fans have embraced me and my family and all the respect that they have shown me."
Mata said of his time with the Wanderers, who were knocked out of the finals in a 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory last week: "In terms of playing time, it has been a bit frustrating.
"That's the way it is when you don't play as much as you would like.
"And like many other teammates in my team, I'm in a time in my career that I also realised the impact that you can have in a football club, not only by playing.
"Whether I played more or less I tried to give my best for my teammates and the club, and that's something that still motivates me."
Mata is also keen to explore off-field opportunities in Australia.
The 41-cap Spanish international bought a stake in Major League Soccer expansion side San Diego FC last year.
Mata is understood to have spoken to the Australian Professional Leagues over being part of a consortium to put an A-League Men side in Canberra.
"Maybe there is the opportunity to do that in Australia," Mata said.
"I think the A-League might be in a difficult financial situation right now and many of the clubs, but I see that as an opportunity that will keep growing.
"And it will grow because fans want to see football. I think they want to see better and better level in the A-League.
"I think you have everything to do that, you have the infrastructure with the stadiums, the football fans and a great lifestyle.
"There are many things that will improve and you never know, maybe I'm a part of that."
Juan Mata remains keen on extending his time in the A-League Men and has hinted he is open to investing in an Australian club.
The 37-year-old World Cup winner has had to contend with cameo appearances from the bench with Western Sydney through most of the season, but revealed he was in talks about extending his time with the Wanderers.
The Spaniard is open about his love for life in Sydney, and despite his struggles for minutes at club level has shown a passion to stay connected with the game in Australia.
Mata's charity, CommonGoal, which encourages players to invest one per cent of their salary into charitable causes, announced a partnership with the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia, on Tuesday.
And the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder said talks with the Wanderers were ongoing to determine whether he remains playing in Australia.
"We (the Wanderers and I) are having conversations (about extending), and I'm thinking about it," Mata said.
"I also have to think about my family and personal decisions but let's see, I've loved being here.
"I love the way that Australian football fans have embraced me and my family and all the respect that they have shown me."
Mata said of his time with the Wanderers, who were knocked out of the finals in a 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory last week: "In terms of playing time, it has been a bit frustrating.
"That's the way it is when you don't play as much as you would like.
"And like many other teammates in my team, I'm in a time in my career that I also realised the impact that you can have in a football club, not only by playing.
"Whether I played more or less I tried to give my best for my teammates and the club, and that's something that still motivates me."
Mata is also keen to explore off-field opportunities in Australia.
The 41-cap Spanish international bought a stake in Major League Soccer expansion side San Diego FC last year.
Mata is understood to have spoken to the Australian Professional Leagues over being part of a consortium to put an A-League Men side in Canberra.
"Maybe there is the opportunity to do that in Australia," Mata said.
"I think the A-League might be in a difficult financial situation right now and many of the clubs, but I see that as an opportunity that will keep growing.
"And it will grow because fans want to see football. I think they want to see better and better level in the A-League.
"I think you have everything to do that, you have the infrastructure with the stadiums, the football fans and a great lifestyle.
"There are many things that will improve and you never know, maybe I'm a part of that."
Juan Mata remains keen on extending his time in the A-League Men and has hinted he is open to investing in an Australian club.
The 37-year-old World Cup winner has had to contend with cameo appearances from the bench with Western Sydney through most of the season, but revealed he was in talks about extending his time with the Wanderers.
The Spaniard is open about his love for life in Sydney, and despite his struggles for minutes at club level has shown a passion to stay connected with the game in Australia.
Mata's charity, CommonGoal, which encourages players to invest one per cent of their salary into charitable causes, announced a partnership with the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia, on Tuesday.
And the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder said talks with the Wanderers were ongoing to determine whether he remains playing in Australia.
"We (the Wanderers and I) are having conversations (about extending), and I'm thinking about it," Mata said.
"I also have to think about my family and personal decisions but let's see, I've loved being here.
"I love the way that Australian football fans have embraced me and my family and all the respect that they have shown me."
Mata said of his time with the Wanderers, who were knocked out of the finals in a 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory last week: "In terms of playing time, it has been a bit frustrating.
"That's the way it is when you don't play as much as you would like.
"And like many other teammates in my team, I'm in a time in my career that I also realised the impact that you can have in a football club, not only by playing.
"Whether I played more or less I tried to give my best for my teammates and the club, and that's something that still motivates me."
Mata is also keen to explore off-field opportunities in Australia.
The 41-cap Spanish international bought a stake in Major League Soccer expansion side San Diego FC last year.
Mata is understood to have spoken to the Australian Professional Leagues over being part of a consortium to put an A-League Men side in Canberra.
"Maybe there is the opportunity to do that in Australia," Mata said.
"I think the A-League might be in a difficult financial situation right now and many of the clubs, but I see that as an opportunity that will keep growing.
"And it will grow because fans want to see football. I think they want to see better and better level in the A-League.
"I think you have everything to do that, you have the infrastructure with the stadiums, the football fans and a great lifestyle.
"There are many things that will improve and you never know, maybe I'm a part of that."
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