PROFILE | Lyon’s Clinton Mata makes successful position switch in twilight of his career | OneFootball

Clinton Mata is one of the greatest modern examples of a player rediscovering themselves in a new position in the latter years of their career. The Angolan international defender arrived at Lyon as an experienced right-back, who had plied his trade at the highest level in the UEFA Champions League with Club Brugge. A winner of three Jupiler Pro League titles, the defender presented a modest investment for OL at €5m, as they looked to add quality and experience at the back. 

Initially, Mata played in his former natural position of right-back. The 33-year-old didn’t guarantee himself a place in the starting XI with competition for places in the form of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Saël Kumbedi. During the 2023-24 season, as Les Gones struggled with injuries at the heart of defence, the former Club Brugge defender was used as a makeshift centre back. Since that spell, central defence is a position that the Angolan has made his own. 

Given his ability to defend one-on-one as a former full-back, Mata has been able to bring that experience into his game as a central defender. His reading of the game is particularly impressive and he doesn’t struggle to hold a defensive line either when his centre-back partner, Moussa Niakhaté, has drifted forward. Where some may look flustered as the last line of defence, the OL centre back’s experience out wide has made him cope brilliantly in counterattacking situations when the back line looks open. 

A strong partnership with Niakhaté

In addition to his own game transforming in recent years, he has played a major part in improving Lyon’s defensive unit. Forming an impressive partnership alongside Senegalese international defender Niakhaté, the pair have become a dependable duo for Paulo Fonseca at the back and are the most-used combination under the Portuguese head coach. This has seen an improvement in Lyon’s defensive resolve as the club conceded nine fewer goals than last season at this point of the campaign. 

Mata has had a great year whilst representing the Rhône club, but that has been eclipsed by his achievements whilst playing for his country. The Angolan international has played a major part in the African nation reaching the World Cup in 2026 for the first time in over 20 years. The 33-year-old will be hoping to make it an even better year for his nation as they take part in AFCON over December and January. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith