The Spanish World Cup-winning midfield ace was rewarded for his enduring quality with Melbourne Victory, while Isabel Gomez has taken the equivalent award, the Julie Dolan Medal, as the best performer in the A-League Women for her outstanding campaign with Central Coast Mariners.
The 38-year-old Mata, who played in Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning campaign, led the league with assists - notching 13, five more than the chasing pack - and also scored five as he played a virtuoso role in Victory's fourth-place finish.
It's the first time the award has gone to an overseas player since 2021, having been in Australian hands for the past four seasons, but there could be little argument about the gong being in the right hands.
Mata topped the count with 36 votes, well ahead of Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich (21), Auckland FC forward Lachie Brook (20) with two of his teammates, Louis Verstraete (18) and Jesse Randall (17) completing the top five.
The 23-year-old Gomez sealed her big prize in a close-fought race with fellow Matildas star Holly McNamara, getting 20 votes, one ahead of the Melbourne City striker, with Aideen Keane, another City star, and Canberra United veteran Michelle Heyman finishing level on 17. Canberra's Sasha Grove was fifth on 16.
Gomez put in a series of fine performances for Kory Babington's side, ending equal-second in the league for assists while also scoring four times.
Eli Adams won the men's young player of the year award, the 24-year-old Newcastle prospect having scored 10 and assisted on four other goals, while Wellington's New Zealand teenager Pia Vlok, 17, won the women's award, having been joint-top scorer for the Nix in their historic season.
The Jets' Mark Milligan also lifted the A-League Men's coach of the year gong, with Canberra's Antoni Jagarinec taking the women's league award.
On the goalscoring front, McNamara took back-to-back Golden Boots for City, with 12 league goals in 18 matches, while in the A-league Men, Auckland FC's Sam Cosgrove and Adelaide United's Luka Jovanovic shared the award with 11 goals apiece.
Melbourne Victory's Courtney Newbon was voted best women's goalkeeper, with Sydney FC's Harrison Devenish-Meares winning the men's award.
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