JUAN MATA has launched a new ‘unique art exhibition’ involving 11 football players and 11 contemporary artists.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder says he used to frequently visit art galleries in England when he wasn’t training or playing.
Now, the 37-year-old is aiming to prove art and football are similar, working with artists to show how both ventures are used as forms of communication and as ways to bring people together.
Household names including former Manchester United star Eric Cantona and Red Devils and Lionesses midfielder Ella Toone are on board for the project called ‘Football City, Art United’.
Each player has their own individual piece in the exhibition, and Mata feels each person working with him on the project had or still has an artistic way of expressing themselves on the pitch.
Mata, who now plays for Australian A-League Western Sydney Wanderers, told BBC Sport: “One player that was an artist on the pitch, it has to be Eric Cantona. So I’m very glad he accepted, he loved it and he’s very much involved in everything we do.
“Shinji [Kagawa], who is a good friend and has a very unique piece with an artist in Japan, where he’s from.”
Former Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids is also involved.
Mata made 278 Premier League appearances during his time with Chelsea and then Manchester United.
The ex-Spain international won two Europa Leagues, two FA Cups and one League Cup with the top flight sides.
He then left Old Trafford and England in 2022, but is now back in Manchester to open his new exhibition to the city’s people.
“I’m really excited for the people of Manchester to come and see it,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t like football, or if you don’t like art, but I think this is the best of both worlds and hopefully it will bring a lot of joy to everyone.”
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