Juan Mata Bids Emotional Farewell to Club Weeks After Winning Title

• Juan Mata is leaving Galatasaray after one year with the club
• Mata won the Turkish Super Lig with the club last season
• The Former Manchester United star made 16 appearances for them last season

Former Manchester United attacker Juan Mata has announced his departure from Turkish giants Galatasaray exactly a month since they won their 23rd time.

Mata helped Galatasaray lift their first league title since 2019. Their triumph put them four ahead of rivals Fenerbahce in the all-time winners list.

The World Cup winner with Spain made 16 appearances in the Super Lig and scored three goals, and notched one assist. The former Chelsea star made only three starts, per Transfermarkt.

The 35-year-old left Manchester United last summer after eight and half years at the club. The club wanted to keep him, but he declined as he wanted to play more regularly.

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What Mata said

The attacking midfielder took to Twitter to announce his shock departure. He thanked Galatasaray fans, calling them one of the best in the world.

"I am not sad because it ended, I am happy because it happened," Mata said. I am so proud to be part of this family forever. The atmosphere that you create in our stadium and our away games is second to none, I can tell you that. It ALWAYS feels like we play at home. You are without a doubt one of the best fans in the world."

He also had a heartfelt message for his teammates. He hilariously reminded striker Mauro Icardi to pay him for their free-kick bets.

"The camaraderie we had and the friends for life that I was able to make this season it’s something that I will never forget. It was special...Thanks @MauroIcardi for giving me the trophy I was missing, but you still owe me money from our free kick bets."

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Mata signed a one-year deal with the Turkish giants, and given how the previous season went, he could be looking for greener pastures.

Was Mata a Real Madrid academy graduate?

Sports Brief earlier reported on five players who many fans didn't know were graduates of the Real Madrid academy.

Established stars like Mata and Juanfran were one of them. Saul Niguez, Pablo Sarabia, and Dani parejo.

Madrid produced icons such as Iker Casillas and Raul Gonzalez.