Quick Facts
CancerBiography
Max Mata (born 10 July 2000) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a forward for Swiss Challenge League club Grasshopper Club Zürich and the New Zealand national team.
Club career
Mata made his professional debut as a half-time substitute for Nõmme Kalju in their 5–0 loss to Celtic in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round on 24 July 2019.
International career
U-20
Mata was named in the New Zealand U-20 side for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was picked for the tournament even though he would be unavailable for the first two games of the tournament due to a red card that he picked up in the final of the OFC U-19 Championship qualifiers.Mata ended up making two appearances for the U-20s, first in the last group game against Uruguay, where he captained the team, and in the round of 16 penalty shootout loss to Colombia.
National team
Mata made his international debut on 15 November 2019, coming on as a substitute for New Zealand in their 0–1 loss to Lithuania.
Personal life
Mata is of Māori and Cook Island Māori descent.
Honours
International
- OFC U-17 Championship: 2017
- OFC U-19 Championship: 2018
Individual
- 2018 OFC U-19 Championship: Golden Boot