Mata's last club was Vissel Kobe.
"I mean I still feel enjoyment and passion for the game," he told MUTV. "So I feel good physically, and I feel good mentally, but I want to make this next step, which is probably the last one, a meaningful step. Not just playing whatever, just for the sake of playing. I want to play in a place that motivates me, inspires me - on and off the pitch.
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"So I'm on that journey, waiting, hearing, thinking and hoping I'm making the right decision but still playing. I mean I love the game and I think it's a game that, until you don't enjoy it, or you feel an injury or something like that, touch wood, you cannot play anymore.
"As long as you enjoy it, you should keep doing it because it's the best job in the world."