Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata has outlined his pride at winning the UEFA Equal Game award.
The 33-year-old Spaniard has been chosen as one of three recipients for the accolade that celebrates outstanding work in promoting inclusion and diversity within the sport.
Mata and the other winners - Khalida Popal and the German Football Association (DFB) - are set to be honoured at the same time as UEFA hold the Nations League draw.
That ceremony will be streamed by the governing body from 6pm tomorrow evening.
An official statement from UEFA outlines that Mata, and his contemporaries have demonstrated 'outstanding leadership qualities in creating a more open, diverse and accessible game' while each of them has also 'provided a powerful example to follow' with their respective acts.
Capped 41 times by Spain, the United midfielder has only played 151 minutes this season, but continues to shine off the pitch with his work for Common Goal; a charity he co-founded in 2017.
Common Goal makes positive change in socially challenged communities - using football's power and popularity to tackle gender inequality, promote inclusion and provide more opportunities for underprivileged children.
It also inspires players, coaches and other personalities to commit 1 per cent of their salaries to the project.
Mata said: "I was proud of the work that our organisations are doing there and proud of the stories of people that have overcome difficult problems. This is what we want to do through Common Goal, give people choice to decide their futures."
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added: "Each of the three Equal Game Award winners is a fine example of how football can be used as a catalyst for positive change. They can and should be very proud of their achievements and I would like to personally thank them for their exemplary leadership that will, hopefully, inspire many others."
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