Juan Mata notched up an impressive five assists from five A-League games in January, helping lift his side Melbourne Victory back into the top-six by setting up goals in home wins over both Perth Glory (3-2) and pre-season title favourites Sydney FC (4-0).
The Spanish veteran's signing in Melbourne was initially received with some scepticism after his limited impact and gametime at previous club Western Sydney Wanderers, but Victory head coach Arthur Diles has given him the leading central midfield role in which he operates best, a promise reportedly made to get the off-season transfer over the line.
Mata has more than repaid the faith placed in him by team management, accumulating eight assists in his last ten games to lead an attacking unit that has often lacked both incision and precision.
His eight is already the most of any player for the club since Leroy George's 14 in 2017/18, according to Opta, and at current pace he's on track to eclipse that number - particularly if Victory are involved in the finals.
It's no coincidence that the Victory won six of those ten matches to return to end of season playoffs contention.
But perhaps most impressively, the 37-year-old has showed longevity beyond his years by playing out at least 60 minutes in 11 consecutive matches, some of which had turnarounds of as little as four or five days during the busy school holiday period.
A-League Players of the Month for 2025/26
October/November: Youstin Salas (Brisbane Roar)
December: Francis de Vries (Auckland FC)
January: Juan Mata (Melbourne Victory)