Mata On MBE Honour: “I Feel Like An Honorary Englishman”
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Former Man United Star Reflects On National Recognition And The Deep Affection He Holds For England
Juan Mata’s career has always been about more than football. Whether it’s his graceful playmaking on the pitch, or his work off it through charity and creativity, the Spanish midfielder has long stood for something bigger. And now, with an MBE to his name, England has formally recognised his impact.
Speaking during his return to Manchester for the Football City, Art United exhibition, Mata opened up about what the honour truly means to him and how deeply connected he feels to the country he called home for over a decade.
“I feel very appreciated in England and I’m very grateful for that,” Mata told MUTV. “When I received the MBE, I said I feel like England is my second home, for sure.”
It’s a heartfelt reflection from a man who gave his all on English soil, first with Chelsea, then Manchester United. He played with class, he won trophies, and he never let his values slip.
“I am Spanish, of course, I have my family there, but whenever I come to England, I feel at home and happy,” he added.
The MBE, awarded for services to football and charity, is yet another reminder of the high regard Mata is held in both inside and outside the game. As one of the founding members of the Common Goal initiative, he’s used his platform to promote social change and give back.
Mata’s deep ties to England aren’t just about stadiums or silverware. They’re about people, purpose, and a place where he grew not only as a player but as a human being.
He may have started in Oviedo and now finds himself playing in Australia, but for Juan Mata, England, and especially Manchester, will always be part of his story.
“I’m also very grateful for the love that I received from this country,” he said. “It means a lot.”
And clearly, that love goes both ways.
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