LifeBogger presents the Full Story of a Gentle Football Genius best known by the Nickname; ‘little bean‘.
Our version of Juan Mata’s Biography, including his Childhood Story, brings you a full account of notable events from his boyhood days right until he became famous.
The analysis of the gentle Footballer involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.
Yes, everyone knows about his abilities, but few consider Our Juan Mata Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let us begin.
Juan Mata Childhood Story – Early Life:
For Biography starters, Juan Manuel Mata García was born on the 28th day of April 1988 in Villafranca Montes de Oca, Spain, by Juan Manuel Mata Sr. (father) and Marta Garcia (mother).
Juan inherited his name from his father, Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez, who wanted his son to replicate his lifestyle and career as a footballer.
Mata’s dad was also a small-stature footballer during his time. His family never had the physique of a footballer.
They forced their way through and had a long history of silencing and proving critics wrong. This was why Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez wanted his son Juan Mata to follow suit.
Juan grew up in the town of Villafranca Montes de Oca, which at some point, never felt comfortable for his dad because of the lack of football opportunities for youths.
At age 5, his dad moved to the town named Oviedo (North-West Spain), where he got football opportunities.
Mata was quick to settle and start playing football there. He was a humble and hardworking child who respected his parents and followed their plans for him.
Mata’s love for football grew intensively at Oviedo. His parents felt happy for their son and would allow him to take his football even to his bed.
Juan Mata Biography – Rising to Fame Story:
As Mata puts it, “I spent the rest of my childhood at Asturias, in Oviedo, having fun and feeling more and more attracted by this sport that would eventually become my life’s passion.”
The Principality of Asturias, a region of northwest Spain, is known for its rugged coast, mountains, religious sites and medieval architecture.
It was a breeding ground for footballers and, above all, a home for football scouts from all over Spain.
Real Oviedo was the first club of Juan Mata, where he learned to play football professionally. Mata got the nickname ‘Little Bean’ for being the smallest and deadliest in his team.
He single-highhandedly led his team to win a major championship as a kid. It took no time before Juan grew to have the adult facial looks we know him to possess today.
As he puts it in his Biography website titled JuanMata8; “Real Madrid knocked at my door when I was 15 years old in 2006. I played four seasons for the club’s academy.
I made my debut as a professional player with Castilla in the Second Division soon after turning 18″.
The ‘Little Bean’ was tagged as the main man in Real Madrid’s youth academy, La Fabrica. His best moment came when he single-handedly led his team to the Spanish Juvenil Cup title.
Victory for Juan Mata led to the Spanish club circling around him like sharks. It also meant pressure for him as regards the push to the Real Madrid senior team.
However, he didn’t get the chance to play for the senior Real Madrid team because of their great Galacticos, who were irreplaceable at that time.
The likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and other football greats did not pave the way for Juan Mata to get into the senior team.
Having observed his frustration at getting into the Real Madrid senior team, his dad made the ultimate move to pull him out of the club by delivering him to the hands of many scouts to compete for his signature.
It was Valencia CF who finally got the opportunity to sign him. Mata made 174 appearances and notched up 46 goals for Valencia.
In the summer of 2011, Arsenal made a good offer to Valencia in regard to Juan Mata, but it was Chelsea who managed to sign the Spaniard in August 2011.
Juan became the leader of the London club and was voted the best player of the team in 2012 and 2013.
However, Mata fell out with the new manager Jose Mourinho and was looking for a new club in the season 2013/2014.
Manchester United needed creativity in midfield and signed the Spaniard for 44 million euros in January 2014. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Juan Mata Family Life:
The Juan Mata Family has its history in Burgos, Spain. He was born into a football family that has a long history of proving people wrong.
People criticize their size and inability to show physicality in physical sports. They have grown in helping one another, including their offspring, to become relevant in football.
Juan Mata Father:
The Baller’s Dad helped him in his career achievement. He was even more small-statured and shorter than his son. He was a professional striker for Burgos CF in the ’80s and ’90s.
Mata always credits his beloved dad for his successful life and always shares his happy moments with him and the rest of his family.
Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez currently acts as Mata’s agent, becoming FIFA-registered in the process.
Juan Mata’s Mother:
Her name is Marta Garcia, and she has been hidden from the media for private reasons. As shown here, she is rumoured to be the mother of Juan Mata.
She is quite older than his dad. Juan Mata’s mum has been a full-time housewife all her life. One who hardly socializes, instead, provides household support for her husband and kids.
Juan Mata Sister:
The Spanish footballer has a beloved sister and childhood best friend named Paula Mata.
Paula Mata is, without doubt, his biggest supporter, who never ceases to pray for his beloved little brother to excel in his career. They’ve been best friends since their childhood days.
Even in their adult, both still find time to share time together and never forget and let go of their childhood friendship.
Juan Mata Evelina Kamph Love Story:
Is Juan Mata Married?… The answer is No. He is currently unmarried but enjoys his relationship with his beloved girlfriend, Evelina Kamph.
His girlfriend, Evelina, is a well-known social media celebrity who has a huge list of fans. Both Mata and his girlfriend are not currently in the mood to get married as of the time of writing.
Juan Mata’s relationship life is synonymous with that of Marcus Rashford, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Davide Zappacosta. Very Much different and opposite to Karim Benzema and Raheem Sterling.
Juan Mata Biography Facts – Loved by Hollywood Celebrities:
Juan Mata was thrilled to observe his meekness and gentleness are very much loved by even Holywood Celebrities.
Among many, it was Hollywood star Julia Roberts that couldn’t resist having a picture with the Midfield maestro.
Roberts, who is best known for her role in acting, has become a bold admirer of the Spanish star. She never fails to get the chance to watch him in action.
The Hollywood A-lister visited Old Trafford with her husband and three children to watch Juan Mata play against West Ham. Her kids also had a kickaround with Wayne Rooney’s children on the pitch after the game.
A Footballer and Scholar:
Mata is not only good on the field, he is also an academic genius. Juan Mata has two degrees. One in Marketing and another in Sports Science.
He started studying Marketing at the Camilo José Cela University while playing for Valencia. He later continued his studies through an online programme owned by the Technical University of Madrid.
This earned him a Degree in Sports Science. After his training and match days, Juan Mata prefers to read and do private academic research.
Juan Mata is a quick learner. He studied English and learnt it within a year, having known his career path would lead him to play for an English club.
When he joined Chelsea, he never had difficulties in conversing with his English mates, unlike team Spanish teammates did. Especially the likes of Diego Costa.
Juan Mata Biography – Hobbies:
If you follow Mata on any of his social media networks, you’ll observe that he really loves travelling and sightseeing.
The Spaniard confesses that his love for travelling began when he was young when he used to backpack around Spain in his free time.
Without a doubt, Mata is obsessed with travelling. He has also found a new love for photography. This he does whenever he tours places.
A Tennis Fan:
Mata is an avid tennis fan and considers tennis superstar Rafael Nadal to be the greatest Spanish athlete. Both are sports greats and great friends as well.