Class is indeed permanent, and Juan Mata has proven it once again. The former Manchester United midfielder has been named Melbourne Victory's Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season, capping off a stellar campaign Down Under that has reminded fans why he was once one of Europe's most elegant playmakers.

Mata joined Melbourne Victory at the start of the season after a previous stint with fellow A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers. In just his second season in Australia, the 38-year-old lit up the competition, netting five goals and providing 13 assists. That assist tally ranks as the second-most in a single A-League season, trailing only Aaron Mooy's remarkable 2015/16 campaign.

While Melbourne Victory didn't lift silverware this year, Mata's individual brilliance has been impossible to ignore. His creativity, vision, and trademark composure on the ball have earned him the club's Player of the Season award—a fitting tribute to a player who continues to defy his age.

But what's next for the Spanish maestro? Speaking to AAP earlier this month, Mata remained coy about his future. "To be honest, I haven't put my mind into contract discussions," he said. "I want to finish the finals—hopefully it's going to be good for us—and then take some time to make a decision with myself, with my family, and put everything in the balance."

He added, "What I can say is that up until now, I have enjoyed this season. I have enjoyed on the pitch, off the pitch, in the training ground, the culture and the environment in the club. So I haven't made a decision yet. I will do it after."

For those who remember Mata's heyday at Old Trafford, this resurgence is no surprise. The Spaniard joined Manchester United from Chelsea in January 2014 for a then-club-record fee of £37.1 million. Over eight and a half seasons, he made 285 appearances, scoring 51 goals and helping the Red Devils win the FA Cup, Community Shield, EFL Cup, and the Europa League—starting in the memorable final victory over Ajax.

After leaving United in 2022, Mata enjoyed spells at Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe before heading to Australia. Now, as he weighs his next move, one thing is clear: whether he stays in Melbourne or moves on, his legacy as a footballer who plays the game the right way remains firmly intact.