Mata criticizes business of football, says players make “silly money”

Juan Mata has criticized the game of football for becoming too commercial despite reaping the rewards.

Speaking on Spanish television, the Manchester United midfielder said he would take a pay cut to eliminate the business side of the sport.

Of course, that’s easy to say when you make a reported $200,000 per week.

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Mata admitted that many footballers live in a bubble, separated from the real world as they rake in a “silly amount” of money for their play on the pitch.

I don’t enjoy the business side of football. I love the game. I love training and competing. I’d take a pay cut if there was less business involvement in the sport.

Football is very well remunerated at this level. It’s like we live in a bubble. Compared to the rest of society, we earn a ridiculous amount. It’s unfathomable.

With respect to the world of football, I earn a normal wage. But compared to 99.9 per cent of Spain and the rest of the world, I earn a silly amount.

I live in [a bubble]. Real life is the one my friends live. They’ve had to look for work, sign on to the dole and emigrate. That’s normal life now. My life as a footballer is not normal.

Mata was also critical of younger players who go out and spend their money on “extravagant clothes and fancy cars.” At 27-years-old and with ten years of professional experience, Mata said he sometimes has to have a word with a teammate to make sure they are handling themselves properly.

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Though he did not mention any names, Mata’s comments on younger players’ behavior could be viewed as a possible jab at Memphis Depay. Memphis joined Manchester United for a massive transfer fee last summer but has struggled to make an impact on the pitch with reports of his flashy lifestyle angering some at Old Trafford.

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