Juan Mata: 'The Confederations Cup is important'

Spain midfielder Juan Mata has described the prospect of winning the Confederations Cup at the Maracana Stadium as a "fantastic" opportunity.

Spain will go into the tournament as favourites to lift the trophy at the end of June, and the Chelsea playmaker has insisted that the competition is an important one to his team.

The 25-year-old told AS: "There are many reasons why this tournament is so important to us.

"Most importantly we have never won it, but it is also held in Brazil. The thought of winning the trophy at the Maracana is fantastic; it is a mythical stadium."

The reigning World Cup holders begin their campaign against Uruguay on Sunday.