Juan Mata's playing career with Melbourne Victory has come to an end after the A-League Men side confirmed that the Spaniard would not return for the 2026-27 campaign.
The announcement, however, does not represent a formal retirement for the former Manchester United and Chelsea star, with the 38-year-old continuing to assess his next steps from his European base.
Any further contributions in the A-League Men, though, will now be made via the 38-year-old's recently announced ownership stake in Victory, as well as chairing its newly founded football committee.
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"I loved every minute and so greatly enjoyed everything that we achieved last season, falling back in love with football at such a special place, in an amazing city that it was a privilege to call home," Mata said in a statement.
"Thanks to my teammates, the staff and the Board for welcoming me so warmly, supporting me so generously, and allowing me to give my best for this wonderful Club and the amazing members and fans whose support I still feel every day.
"Now I am excited about our next chapters, believing together in the future of Australian football and inspiring the next generation of Melbourne Victory players and supporters."
After a frustrating season at Western Sydney Wanderers, Mata joined Victory ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and experienced a late-career renaissance.
Recognised with a Johnny Warren Medal as the league's best player, as well as with a place in the player-voted PFA Team of the Season, the former World Cup winner helped Victory play finals football as he grabbed 13 assists and five goals, while logging the most minutes he had in a domestic campaign since his 2017-18 season with Manchester United.
The veteran gave significant credit to now-former coach Arthur Diles for this run of form, thanking him for helping him to "enjoy football again," as he accepted the Victory Medal as the club's best player in May.
Diles departed Victory following the conclusion of his contract during the offseason, replaced by former New York Cosmos and Portland Timbers boss Giovanni Savarese.
"Juan's 2025-26 season will live long in the memory of Victory fans and should be cherished by all supporters of the world's game here in Australia," Victory director of football John Didulica said. "The way he performed on the pitch and the way he conducted himself around the club were both exemplary.
"Everyone at the club is excited that he is part of our ownership group and, in the future, looks forward to his football intelligence leading our football committee."
With just the one foreign player spot remaining within their squad post-Mata, recent reports have linked Victory with a move for Uruguayan forward and former Auckland FC title-winner Guillermo May.
Undefeated under Savarese, the A-League Men heavyweights won through to the final of the Australia Cup on Wednesday evening when they defeated Sydney FC, set to face off with the winner of next Tuesday's semifinal between NPL outfits South Melbourne and Lions FC in the decider.