Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata insists he hasn't retired.

Mata is now in London after leaving Vissel Kobe.

He told AS: “No, I have not left football nor am I thinking about retiring. I'm training here in London. As you know, I was in Japan, at the Vissel Kobe. It was a unique experience, very different both culturally and sportingly. We were able to win the league, which was a great ending to my experience there. Furthermore, with the shared feeling that Andrés (Iniesta) also won it, that he left when I arrived.

"After so much time there, winning three titles but not having been able to win the league, it was also emotional for me to be able to be on Andrés' team, one of my all-time idols, and share that victory with him.

"Now, since I ended up in Japan, I am training and preparing to make the decision of where I am going to continue playing. I like to live experiences through football in different countries, that perhaps I would not have had otherwise. I also like to continue competing to win leagues, I hope I can continue doing so. So yeah, I'm going to keep playing.

"I'm taking a few weeks to decide and preparing myself physically."

Asked about the Saudi Pro League, he added: “I don't know. I haven't stopped to decide, I simply want to see the options there are, and from there make an assessment at a competitive, family, country level... "