Clinton Mata

Club career Early years Born in Verviers, Belgium, Mata started playing football with local clubs Royal Battice, Entente Rechaintoise, Etoile Elsautoise and Visé before moving to Eupen in 2010. On 17 February 2012, he made his professional debut in a 2–1 win over Waasland-Beveren in the Belgian Second Division. Afterwards, Mata was not always in the starting eleven, first winning a regular place in the starting lineup in the second half of the 2013–14 season, where Eupen qualified as runner-up for the final round for promotion to the first Belgian league. This ended in a disappointing 2–1 defeat to OH Leuven.

Charleroi In the summer of 2014, Mata moved to Belgian Pro League club Charleroi, where he was mainly a substitute as before in Eupen, before coming closer to a regular starting spot in the second half of the 2015–16 season. As group winners in play-off 2, Charleroi qualified for the play-off for participation in the final for qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. In the playoff match, Mata and his club beat Kortrijk, but lost in the final Europa League play-off match against Genk. The following season marked the breakthrough of Mata for Charleroi, and in August 2017 he moved to Genk on loan. Mata was part of the team qualifying for the UEFA Europa League after Zulte Waregem were beaten 2–0 in the decisive play-off game.

Club Brugge

Mata then joined the defending Belgian champions, Club Brugge, but only made his debut on the ninth matchday in the derby against Cercle Brugge due to an injury. Mata evolved into a starter for the club during his first season, where they finished runner-up in the league. He was also utilised in Club Brugge's UEFA Champions League campaign. In the following season, Mata had experienced his breakthrough when he played almost every game and won the Belgian championship with Club Brugge after the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in the season being abandoned.

Lyon On 6 July 2023, Mata signed for Ligue 1 club Lyon on a three-year contract. The transfer fee was a reported €5 million.

International career In July 2014 Mata was asked to switch his international allegiance to Angola. He made his debut for the Angola national team later that year,

Belgium national team manager Roberto Martínez said he had been particularly impressed by Mata, and had regretted learning of his choice for Angola; Mata stated that he had no regrets playing for Angola.

In June 2024, Mata returned to the Angolan national team.

On 3 December 2025, Mata was called up to the Angola squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Club Brugge Belgian Pro League: 2019–20, 2020–21 Belgian Super Cup: 2018, 2021, 2022

Lyon Coupe de France runner-up: 2023–24