Juan Mata joins Portuguese player Sérgio Oliveira in supporting the group’s multi-club model, consolidating its strategy of expansion and professionalisation of the sector.
Sports Summit Madrid, 18 June 2025 – From the stage of the Sports Summit Madrid 2025, it was officially announced that Spanish footballer Juan Mata has joined Mercury 13 as an investor. Mercury 13 is the international group driving the development of professional women’s football on a global scale. This investment is made in collaboration with Portuguese footballer Sérgio Oliveira. The announcement was made by Victoire Cogevina Reynal y Mario Malavé, Co-CEOs and Co-Founders of Mercury 13, at a press conference held during the Sports Summit Madrid, in the presence of accredited media. Mercury 13 is on the verge of announcing the deployment of its portfolio, and the support and endorsement from Juan Mata confirms the group is moving in the right direction.
Globally recognised for his playing career at clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Valencia CF, Juan Mata is also co-founder of Common Goal, the charitable platform that unites athletes with social causes. With this addition, he joins other sports figures such as Giorgio Chiellini, who was presented in September 2025. On the Board, the American double World Cup champion Lauren Holiday leads the prestigious and select group of athletes contributing their experience and perspective to the group.
Born on 28 April 1988, Juan Mata is a Spanish footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Western Sydney Wanderers FC in Australia’s A-League. Over his career, he has earned numerous titles, including the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship with the Spanish national team. He played in Spain for Valencia and, in 2011, was transferred to Chelsea FC, where he won the Champions League and the Europa League. In 2014, he joined Manchester United, where he spent eight seasons, completing over a decade in the Premier League. His subsequent clubs were Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe, where he won the Turkish and Japanese league titles respectively. Beyond his athletic career, Juan holds a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a degree in Marketing from Camilo José Cela University. He also completed a master’s in Sports and Entertainment Management at LaLiga Business School.
Juan Mata, co-founder of Common Goal and new investor in Mercury 13
Common Goal is a social impact initiative created by streetfootballworld and Juan Mata, aimed at harnessing the immense power of football to drive social change and improve lives. Its members donate 1% of their income to active projects across all continents. The initiative was launched in August 2017.
“I’ve always believed that sport is a powerful tool for creating change. Women’s football has enormous potential and deserves the investment, respect, and visibility that has long been overdue. I’m proud to join Mercury 13 – a project with real purpose and long-term vision. Since Victoire Cogevina joined the platform as an ambassador, we’ve been exploring the possibility of my involvement as an investor. I’m thrilled to announce it here in my home country, where Mercury 13 will soon begin operations to help grow women’s football, which in Spain currently boasts the world’s most successful team. Right now, they are the reigning champions, and we’re incredibly proud of their performance both as athletes and as individuals.”
— Juan Mata
“I’ve been following the growth of women’s football for a while now, and I truly believe it’s got everything it needs to thrive — the talent, the passion, and a unique connection with the fans. But to really reach its full potential, it needs the kind of recognition, investment and infrastructure that, for years, have been directed almost entirely towards the men’s game. Juan and I have worked together on purpose-driven projects before, and this move with Mercury 13 is a reflection of that shared vision. We firmly believe that women’s football is one of the most exciting and transformative opportunities in sport over the next few years.”
— Sergio Oliveira
Victoire Cogevina, Co-Founder of Mercury 13:
“Juan embodies the values of this project: excellence, ethics, and a commitment to the future of sport. His involvement marks another step forward in building a community of leaders who believe in the transformative power of women’s football.”
Mario Malavé, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercury 13:
“Having Juan on board validates our mission. He’s a global icon – not just on the pitch, but also for his inclusive and human-centred vision of sport. With him, we continue to add top-tier talent to the team, both on and off the field.”
Sebastián Larroudé, CEO of Sports Summit Madrid:
“It is an honour to host an announcement of this calibre at the Sports Summit Madrid. Juan Mata joining Mercury 13 is a clear sign that the future of football lies in inclusion, innovation, and partnerships that go beyond traditional models.”
About Mercury 13
Mercury 13 is a multi-club ownership group focused on acquiring majority stakes in professional women’s football teams across Europe. The group aims to invest $100 million in women’s football over the coming years. Its vision is to become the industry benchmark in women’s club ownership, identifying and investing in the ‘super clubs’ of the next decade, and enhancing their commercial potential to reach a vast but historically underserved market: women. The group’s acquisition strategy is grounded in a core belief: women’s football is a different game, and fans seek a unique experience. The team is composed of executives with successful backgrounds in sport, investment, and technology. Their unique experiences, skills, and perspectives position them to become the leading authority in this sector.
Media Contact
Alejandra S Depalma
CCO / Mercury 13
press@mercury13.com
