Luís Mata

Biography

Luís Carlos Machado Mata (born 6 July 1997) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Kazakh club Kairat. Club career Porto B Born in Porto, Mata came through the ranks of hometown club FC Porto. On 7 August 2016, he made his professional debut with FC Porto B in a 2016–17 LigaPro match against C.D. Aves, a 2–1 away loss. The following January, he was loaned to Portimonense S.C. of the same league for the rest of the season. On 27 September 2017, Mata scored his only goal for Porto B to conclude a 2–0 home win over C.D. Cova da Piedade. The following 6 March, he had his one call-up to the first team, remaining unused in a goalless draw away to Liverpool after the Dragons had already lost the first leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 5–0 at home. Mata was loaned to FC Cartagena of the Spanish Segunda División B on 31 August 2018, along with clubmates Rui Moreira and João Costa. Under manager Gustavo Munúa, he was fourth choice in his primary position, but made more appearances in the second half of the season at right back due to an injury crisis. On 5 January 2020, captain Mata was sent off in the 17th minute of Porto B's 3–1 home loss to Académica de Coimbra for giving away a penalty, from which Zé Castro opened the scoring.