‘Worst year of my life’ – Juan Mata reveals why he wanted to stay at Man Utd and tells of family heartbreak during Covid
MANCHESTER United midfielder Juan Mata has admitted last year was the “worst of his life” because of the illness and subsequent death of his beloved mum.
Marta Garcia died in March last year aged just 57 after battling what Spanish press described at the time as a “long illness”.
Her footballer son, at the centre of recent reports he could be offered a coaching role at his current club this summer if he calls time on his playing days, once described her as a key figure in his life.
And overnight he admitted to a torrid time last season in a moving tribute to Marta, mum to Juan and his sister Paula.
He also confirmed he was studying for a future coaching role as part of a move to keep his options open once he retires as a player, although he didn’t put a date on when he might hang up his boots.
The former Spain International said in an interview: “Last season was the most difficult of my life, because of all the circumstances my family and I experienced with my mum.
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“Many trips to Spain, many very difficult moments.
“It was one of the reasons why I wanted to stay in Manchester another year, to be able to experience a full season without empty stands.
“But it has been a drastic change in my life, really horrible, and without doubt the worst year of my life and the most difficult season of my career.”
He told Spanish daily El Mundo: “Imagine a mum who loves her children like mad, always attentive to me and my sister Paula.
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“It’s been a tremendous loss. I wouldn’t know how to define the sadness or what words to use to describe what last year was like.”
Marta admitted in a 2018 interview she tried to spend as much time as possible with her footballer son, describing him as someone who “needs people and doesn’t like to be alone.”
She added: “He’s a very happy boy and every time I go to see him it’s with a suitcase full of things.”
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David de Gea was among teammates and friends who offered their support when she passed away, with the United goalkeeper uploading a picture of her on social media alongside a heart emoji.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes wrote: “My friend, a big hug for you and your family.”
Addressing the possibility of a future coaching role, Mata said in the interview: “There are days in which I think I’d like to be linked to football in some way and am preparing for it.
“As I don’t know what I’m going to do, I’m trying to learn as much as I can so I can have the opportunities to decide.
“I’m doing a coaching course with an MBA, and also a course at the UEFA academy, football management.
“I’m trying to learn for when the moment comes that I’ll stop playing, which unfortunately will arrive one day.”