Jaime Mata's rise from lower leagues to Spain international has been remarkable

The striker almost quit football to become a customs officer only five years ago

He's been dubbed the Spanish Jamie Vardy after firing Getafe to Europe at 30

Despite last season's fifth-place finish, he insists Getafe's target is just to stay up

Five years ago, Jaime Mata found himself at a crossroads.

In one direction, was a dream he had always been sceptical about, and in the other, a secure full-time job.

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It was 2014 and Mata was approaching turning 26, and earning pennies in the Spanish third tier. A job as a customs officer came up and could offer him a better life.

Jaime Mata almost quit football give years ago, and is now playing in Europe with Getafe

His rise from the depths of Spain's league to La Liga has been likened to Jamie Vardy's

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He had just finished his second season at Lleida Esportiu, where he had taken his tally to 32 goals in 78 games for the club.

It was another successful campaign on a personal level, but the prospect of catching a big break still didn't seem any closer.

After some serious thought, Mata had decided it could be time to walk away from the only thing he had ever wanted to do since a young boy.

But then he got a call from Girona sporting director Oriol Alsina. 'They gave me the chance to be a professional, and that was absolutely crazy for me. I thought, maybe I can keep doing this for a bit longer?' Mata told Cadena Cope earlier this year.

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Girona chief Oriol Alsina gave Mata his big break after spotting him at Lleida Esportiu

JAIME MATA CAREER 2007–2008 Pegaso B 2008–2010 Galáctico Pegaso Games: 42 Goals: 17 2010–2012 Rayo Vallecano B Games: 37 Goals: 9 2010 → Socuéllamos (loan) Games: 20 Goals: 9 2010–2011 → Móstoles (loan) Games: 37 Goals: 25 2012–2014 Lleida Esportiu Games: 78 Goals: 32 2014–2016 Girona Games: 81 Goals: 21 2016–2018 Real Valladolid Games: 71 Goals: 41 2018– Getafe Games: 42 Goals: 18

Having spent much of his youth plying his trade in the depths of the Spanish league system, a chance to play in the Segunda Divison - Spain's second tier - was too good to turn down.

He had always had his reservations about the sustainability of a career as a footballer, and would never have envisioned what was round the corner.

After scoring 21 goals in two seasons at Girona, Mata joined Real Valldolid, and fired them to promotion to La Liga in the 2017-18 campaign to reach the top-flight for the first time.

His contract had expired and Getafe were quick to snap him up on a three-year deal. In his first season at the club, Mata scored 16 goals in 38 games in all competitions, helping the club reach the Europa League.

His fine form saw him win his senior debut for Spain back in March at the age of 30 and has earned him the nickname 'The Spanish Jamie Vardy' after climbing from Spain's equivalent of non-league football to La Liga.

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Despite last season's fifth-placed finish - Getafe's highest ever - Mata insists the aims this term are much more modest. 'I believe our main target is survival. Staying in the division is the basis for any team in the top flight,' he said.

'That's what means you can keep dreaming about other targets, such as competing in Europe or going far in the Copa del Rey, but I think we all know that La Liga is our bread and butter. It's what allows you to enjoy your other objectives, such as the European adventure that we're on this year. We're treating it like a reward and are approaching every game full of desire to see how far we are capable of going.'

Mata is considered to be in the twilight years of his career at 30 now, but he has shown no signs of slowing down and is actually Getafe's youngest striker.

After two seasons there, Mata joined Real Valladolid and helped them get promoted to La Liga

He came off the bench to replace Alvaro Morata to make his debut for Spain back in March

'That shows that footballers are different nowadays in terms of our daily routine and methods. A footballer's career used to be a bit shorter, but we're seeing how you don't suddenly become a veteran player when you enter your thirties,' he said.

'It used to mean your career was on the decline, but now you can keep progressing and improving. I think we're looking after ourselves much better because we're much more aware of the importance of rest and training, which I think means we can be just as competitive in our thirties.'

Having netted 14 times in La Liga last season, the Spaniard is on course for another fruitful campaign with four goals from his opening nine games.

Strikers often set themselves a goal target for the season, but Mata is a little different. For him, the collective has always been more important than the individual.

He added: 'I just want to play as much as I can and, above all, to help the team. At the end of the day, I want the team to win games, for us to stay in the top flight and keep enjoying this adventure for a long time. We need wins in order to do that. My goal on a daily basis is to come here and try to give my all, both in training and in games, so that we pick up victories.'

Despite last season's fifth-placed finish, Mata insists Getafe are only focused on staying up

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