Jaime Mata Arnaiz, The Tough Striker of Las Palmas Who Leaves a Long Mark in Spanish Football

Kapanlagi.com - Jaime Mata Arnaiz, a tough striker from Spain, currently plays for the La Liga club, Las Palmas. Born in Madrid on October 24, 1988, Mata's career journey is an inspiring story that started from the lower levels and reached the peak of Spanish football competition. Although he is now 35 years old, his experience and dedication make him one of the irreplaceable players on the field.

Mata's journey in the world of football is quite interesting, with outstanding achievements while representing various clubs such as Rayo Vallecano, Girona, Valladolid, and Getafe. At every club he has played for, Mata has consistently made significant contributions, earning various awards and recognition on the football stage. Now, with Las Palmas, he continues to show resilience in the front line, maintaining impressive performance.

With a career path full of twists and several club transfers, Jaime Mata is a true example of a player who remains consistent. In fact, in 2019, he had the opportunity to represent the Spanish national team. Below is the complete profile of Jaime Mata Arnaiz summarized by Kapanlagi.com from various sources, Friday (1/11).

1. The Beginning of Jaime Mata Arnaiz's Career

Jaime Mata, who started his football journey in Madrid with the local team Galctico Pegaso, quickly caught attention thanks to his brilliant performances after his professional debut in 2007. With sharpness as a reliable striker in the Tercera Division, he was not only able to capitalize on every opportunity but also attracted interest from other major clubs.

In 2009, he joined Rayo Vallecano, although he was briefly loaned to UD Socullamos to gain more playing time. This smart decision led him to CD Mstoles in 2010, where he further honed his skills.

Returning to Rayo Vallecano in 2011, Mata refined his talent in the B team before achieving remarkable success at Lleida Esportiu with 32 goals in two seasons. This success paved the way for him to step into the Segunda Division with Girona FC in 2014, marking the beginning of a promising new chapter in his career.

2. Important Moments with Girona FC

Jaime Mata continued his career adventure at Girona FC, a club struggling in the Segunda Division. In 2014, he signed a two-year contract and soon scored his first goal in a match against AD Alcorcón.

His stunning performances made him a vital figure in the team, especially during the semifinal playoff against Real Zaragoza. Unfortunately, despite his brilliant display, Girona had to swallow the bitter pill of failing to promote to La Liga for two consecutive seasons.

However, Mata remained a mainstay in the team, continuing to show his sharpness in front of goal. In 2016, after his contract ended, he decided to continue his career journey to Real Valladolid, which also competed in the Segunda Division.

3. Glory at Real Valladolid and Goal Records

After joining Real Valladolid in 2016, Mata's career took off like a rocket. At the club, he set a personal record with 36 goals in a single season in 2017-2018, including a brilliant hat-trick that led his team to a 5-1 victory over Lorca FC.

This achievement not only crowned him as the top scorer in the Segunda División, but also attracted the attention of major clubs in the top division. Thanks to his outstanding contribution in helping Valladolid achieve promotion, Mata continued his adventure by joining Getafe CF as a free transfer in 2018.

4. La Liga Debut with Getafe and Shining Experience

Mata, who began his adventure in La Liga with Getafe on August 24, 2018, immediately captured attention with his solid performance against SD Eibar, despite playing only 79 minutes. It didn't take long for the star to score his first goal in the league against RC Celta de Vigo, and since then, he has become a mainstay for the team even though he often operates as a winger, rather than a pure striker.

With 14 goals in his first season, Mata demonstrated his quality as an irreplaceable figure. Although facing challenges during a managerial change that reduced his playing time, his fighting spirit remained fierce, and he became known as a prolific goal scorer from various positions.

One of the most memorable moments in his career was when he successfully executed a penalty that led Getafe to defeat the giants Barcelona in 2020, adding to the impressive record in his career journey.

5. Current Career with Las Palmas and Memories in the National Team

In June 2024, Juan Mata officially joined Las Palmas with a one-year contract, marking the veteran's return to the La Liga stage. Although he is no longer young, Mata remains a key player in the team's front line, utilizing the wealth of experience he has gathered from various Spanish leagues.

His expertise is not limited to club level; in 2019, he also received a call-up from coach Luis Enrique to strengthen the Spanish national team. His impressive debut in the Euro 2020 qualifying match against Norway became one of the valuable moments in his career journey, even though he did not appear frequently. With passion and dedication, Mata continues to prove that age is just a number in the world of football.

6. What are Jaime Mata's best achievements in the Segunda Division?

Jaime Mata made a remarkable history in the Segunda Division during the 2017-2018 season by scoring 36 goals, making him the top scorer of that season while wearing the Real Valladolid jersey.

This success not only confirms his sharpness in the front line but also etches his name in the record books of Spanish football.

7. Did Jaime Mata ever play for the Spanish national team?

In 2019, Mata had the honor of wearing the jersey of the Spanish national team, and he showcased his abilities on the field during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match against Norway.

8. Which club is Jaime Mata currently playing for?

Jaime Mata is now marking a new chapter in his career by joining the La Liga club, Las Palmas, after officially signing a one-year contract in June 2024.

With renewed spirit and burning ambition, he is ready to make a maximum contribution on the green field and achieve success with his new team.

(kpl/rmt)