Juan Mata's timeless excellence has been rewarded with the honour of the Johnny Warren Medal as the best player in the A-league Men over the 2025/26 season.
The Spanish World Cup-winning midfield ace was rewarded for his enduring quality with Melbourne Victory, while Isabel Gomez has taken the equivalent award, the Julie Dolan Medal, as the best performer in the A-League Women for her outstanding campaign with Central Coast Mariners.
The 38-year-old Mata, who played in Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning campaign, led the league with assists - notching 13, five more than the chasing pack - and also scored five as he played a virtuoso role in Victory's fourth-place finish.
It's the first time the award has gone to an overseas player since 2021, having been in Australian hands for the past four seasons, but there could be little argument about the gong being in the right hands.
