A-League MVP 2025/26: Juan Mata Wins Johnny Warren Medal

Juan Mata named A-League MVP after dominant season 

After winning the Johnny Warren Medal, Mata says he’ll take time to decide on playing in 2026-27 as Melbourne Victory exit the finals.

Mata led the A-League with 13 assists and key viral moments, earning the Johnny Warren Medal...

Spanish star Juan Mata has officially been named the A-League Men’s Player of the Year after winning the Johnny Warren Medal.

Mata was clearly the best player of the season, especially from December onward. In an 18-game stretch he scored four of his five goals for the 2025/26 season and provided all 13 of his assists

The Spanish World Cup winner created several viral moments during the season. Highlights included two long-range goals in one Melbourne derby in February and a high-quality free kick that earned a 2-2 draw against Sydney FC.

Melbourne Victory were knocked out of the finals by Sydney FC and missed the Grand Final, leaving Juan Mata’s immediate future uncertain. The 38-year-old told the media he will take time to decide whether to play on in 2026-27, whether that is in Melbourne, elsewhere in Australia, or overseas.

Former Victory coach Arthur Diles and captain Roderick Miranda have both urged Mata to stay for another season. They said he still has a lot to offer and plenty to gain by continuing for another year.

“I felt that Victory was the right place to for me to go and play my football,” Mata said when accepting the award.

“When I enjoy playing football I think I can play at my best level, and every week I was looking forward to games and training. and that tells you something about it.

“I knew I still had football in me, and if I found a place to play where I had the trust of the coach and felt at home at the club, then I knew I could perform and that’s what happened.

“I was not trying to prove a point to anybody, I’m just more happy that I’ve been able to show to myself that I was right about having football still in my legs and in my head.

“I’m really grateful and honoured to get this award. I know the importance of it, the history of it, and the players that have won it before.”

JUAN MATA IS THE 2026 JOHNNY WARREN MEDAL WINNER 🎖️👏

The Spanish maestro adds Australia’s highest individual honour to his HUGE world football trophy cabinet at 38 years old 😲

Five goals. Thirteen assists. Countless levels of class.

Bravo, El Mago 🙌 pic.twitter.com/KyraBFWKni

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 21, 2026

The central midfielder also suggested he’s weighing up retirement, even though he’s still producing the kind of mesmerising football that has taken the A-League by storm.