Juan Mata often used his artistic licence with a football at his feet, and the former Manchester United fan favourite will soon be back to showcase the beautiful game.
However, Mata, who turned 35 on Friday, won't be returning to run out at Old Trafford for a second stint with the club. Having signed for David Moyes for £37.1 million in January 2014, the popular Spaniard spent the next eight and a half seasons at the club.
During that period he helped them to an FA Cup win under Louis van Gaal and was instrumental in the League Cup and Europa League double under Jose Mourinho in 2016/17. But his career certainly hasn't stalled, with the left-footed maestro currently on course for more silverware at Galatasaray.
Mata has not been an ever-present for the Turkish giants, but has made 14 league appearances and scored three goals, with his side currently six points clear of Fenerbahce in the race for the title. And he's not the only name familiar to European football fans currently plying his trade at the club, with the likes of Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens, and Bafetimbi Gomes among his team-mates.
So when Mata, who also won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2013, comes back to the North of England this summer it won't be to negotiate with Erik ten Hag, but rather to curate an art exhibition focusing on football. He'll be at the Manchester International Festival to promote his new project.
Along with Hans Ulrich Obrist, he'll produce works inspired by the Trequartista, an iconic football position that translates to 'three quarters' in Italian and reflects the modern day midfield playmaker. And Mata explained that the venture combines his two passions.
"It is fantastic to be returning to Manchester, the city I called home for more than eight years, and to be part of Manchester International Festival for the first time," he told The Sun . "I am thrilled to be co-curating ‘The Trequartista – Art and Football United’ with Hans Ulrich Obrist over the next two years, bringing together two of my passions: the worlds of football and art."
Mata eventually played 285 games for United, scoring 51 goals. And he's likely to be well received by the Manchester residents, having also previously run a Spanish restaurant in the area with father Juan Manuel Mata.
His career highlights have extended way beyond club level though. He was also a part of Spain's golden era, winning the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships with his country.
