Juan Mata admits that he still sees Manchester as like a second home, as he returned to the city to launch a new exhibition as part of the Manchester International Festival.
The former Reds star is passionate about a project he co-curated, entitled 'Football City, Art United' and incorporating work from the likes of Eric Cantona, Shinji Kagawa and Ella Toone.
During his time at Aviva Studios in Manchester city centre, he took time to speak to us about the link between art and football, and how he assembled the 11 pairings of footballers with internationally renowned artists to collaborate on the varied pieces on show.
Currently with West Sydney Wanderers in Australia, the 37-year-old was delighted to be back in a city where he spent eight years representing United, and creating a special bond with the supporters.
See what he had to say in his chat with MUTV...
So, Juan, Football City, Art United. Can you explain the concept to us please?
“Well, the concept is to try to create a relationship between art and football. A couple of years ago, I met the great Hans-Ulrich [Obrist], who is a renowned art creator, and Josh [Willdigg], who was working with him, and I’d always been going to Whitworth Gallery and different galleries in the UK. When I met him, I realised he loved football and he came up with the idea of trying to do something together and connect both worlds, which they hadn’t been connected enough, in my point of view, in history. So here we are today, after many conversations and calls, and trying to get players with artists. We have a team of 11 footballers, with 11 artists, trying to express themselves in the best possible way. And I think it’s fun. It’s been a learning process for me, of course it’s very different to what I’m used to, but I’m really happy with the result and the exhibition.”
It's an interesting mix of footballers isn’t it, some former Reds and some not, players from all over the world?
“Of course, we have a couple of former Reds, with Shinji Kagawa, who did a great manga with a Japanese artist, and, of course, Eric Cantona. For me, if I think about an artist on the pitch, he was probably the best artist on the pitch. The way he played football and everything he did. He was different and unique. And so he was also very happy and welcoming to the idea of joining. So, I’m very happy and proud that he is one of the players in exhibition and I’m so happy to be here today and to get to know it for the first time.”
We’ve also seen the mask from Ella Toone as well, that’s an interesting piece…
“Ella is great. Since we talked with her, she also was really enthusiastic about it. As you know, she’s full of energy and, yeah, she’s been great in the whole process. So it’s very nice to see that she enjoyed the process also.”
We see the way you play football, you are like an artist on the pitch, is that how you see your relationship with football?
“I don’t see myself that way because I consider, you know, the greatest players that way. But I always try to play in the way that I enjoy. I think I played my best football when I was enjoying it on the pitch. So, I tried to do nice things with the ball. I think the relationship between a player and the ball is key, of course, and I see those type of players, like Eric, that they have a unique capacity to speak through the ball, to win games. And that’s why we did a list of players and I’m very happy with the ones we have here. Like, we have here today, Edgar Davids also. A very good player, a very different personality, very creative. So, I’m happy that he’s here with us.”
Are they the sort of players you feel that the fans like to see play football, the ones who have got that creativity, spark and individualism?
“I always love to see those type of players. And when I mention Eric, I mention Zinedine Zidane, or I mention Ronaldinho or, my idol when I was growing up, Pablo Aimar. He was an Argentinian player that, for me, he was an artist. So, it is that connection with the ball and that way of doing difficult things but making it look easy. There are not many players who can do that. I think the ones that I mentioned they did that and all the ones that are here, they do it in their own way. So, yeah, it’s been a fun experience to try to create that dream team and I think we are a very, very good team.”
I know some people think football has become very tactical, maybe a little bit robotic, do you think there will be a rise of these individuals again and that will come again?
“I hope so. I hope that, you know, as good as tactics are and the way that the game is more professional now with everything and the data, and the way that teams play, I think that pure talent and immense talent and creativity and improvisation will also always be a key part of the game. That is why you can still see some players that can win a game by themselves with natural talent, right? So, I hope that comes back. I think it’s been fading for some years but I see some players now that are bringing it back. So, I’m happy to see it. It’s not only about individuals and individualism, it’s about interacting with each other on the pitch and understanding the way your team-mates are playing to try to create the play. So, yeah, hopefully football never loses that because, that for me, is key in the game that we love.”
You said coming back to Manchester is like coming home. Do you see your future as maybe coming back at some point?
“Maybe. I love it here, I love the city, I love the people. I have so many great memories. This morning, when I landed and I was travelling from the airport to here, to central Manchester, I was having many memories and, hopefully, I can see many people that I love, that they’re still here in the club and in the city so it feels like home being here and maybe, in the future, you never know.”
“I feel very appreciated in England and I’m very grateful for that. Of course, I spent the majority of my career in England. Like I said, when I received the MBE, I feel like England is my second home, for sure. I am Spanish, of course, I have my family there, but, whenever I come to England, I feel at home and happy. So, yeah, I’m also very grateful for the love that I received from this country.”
I know we’re short on time but here at MUTV, we have to ask you about United, of course, are you looking forward to the new season and which player do you think might stand out next season?
“Well, first of all, I hope that everyone can play good and everyone can bring the club to what I believe it deserves to be. And, of course, it has been in a tough season and everyone was really excited about the [Europa League] final, which I watched from Australia, with the time difference. And I was as sad as everyone with the final result. But I think and I really hope that next season is going to be better. I think the team is good. I think the coach has just barely arrived and I wish him the best. He is young, he has intensity and passion. And I hope he will do very, very well. And, of course, I love Bruno. We speak a lot and, you know, I’m trying to always be there for him. When you are winning and everything is going well, it is easy to be surrounding him. When things are not going well, is where I try to be there for him. So, I really hope that, next season, he scores 40 goals and he gets 40 assists, and is the MVP of the league. And he can, you know, keep doing what he’s doing because I think he’s instrumental for the present and for the future of the club.”
Click here for tickets on how to book tickets to visit Football City, Art United. It runs at Aviva Studios in Manchester until 23 August.