Jean-Philippe Mateta says “everything is fine” between him and former Crystal Palace team-mate Wilfried Zaha following a public spat.
Mateta made his first France start on Monday, scoring in the 2-2 draw over Iceland, but claimed Zaha was among team-mates to have doubted he could make it at national team level.
Mateta told L’Equipe: “At Crystal Palace, right at the start, when I wasn’t even playing, I spoke about the France team in the dressing room and I had team-mates like Wilfried Zaha who were laughing. They said that I was mad to think about the France team when I wasn’t even playing at Crystal Palace, but I responded saying that it was my objective and that I simply had to play to show what I could do.”
Zaha, who left Palace in 2023 and now plays for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, on loan from Galatasaray, denied those claims, indicating some misinterpretation had occurred.
Zaha responded in a video on social media, saying: “I’m sorry but my head’s on fire. I’ve got to clear up this Mateta situation because he doesn’t want to and this just shows me that…see the times when I was playing at Crystal Palace and all these people were watching me and it’s clear they weren’t happy for me because I never made anyone feel like s***.
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Wilfried Zaha hits back at Jean-Philippe Mateta after the forward claimed his former team-mate was among others who mocked him over his France call-up dream
“I never… everyone knows me. The only time on the pitch is when I’m passionate and all that stuff. But I’d never bully someone or say someone won’t make it here or won’t make it at all or nothing like that.
“It’s disgusting when I see someone that I thought was a friend do that.”
Mateta, speaking before Thursday’s Conference League clash with AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park, said the pair have now dealt with the situation.
“I spoke with him. Everything is good,” said the Frenchman, who scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s 3-3 Premier League draw with Bournemouth, but missed a late sitter.
“We talked in private, and that’s it.”
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The latest from the Crystal Palace training ground as they prepare to face Larnaca in the Europa Conference League.
Analysis: Mateta has larger-than-life persona
Sky Sports News’ James Savundra:
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s renaissance has been remarkable. But he always believed.
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Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta totalled 3.67 xG against Bournemouth during their 3-3 draw, setting a new Premier League record.
And he’s now delivering on the biggest stage on a consistent basis.
On Saturday, he became only the third Crystal Palace player to hit at least 50 Premier League goal contributions – behind Ebere Eze and Wilfried Zaha.
The Frenchman was very reluctant to speak about a seeming feud between himself and his former Palace team-mate. He simply said that he’s spoken to Zaha and “everything is good”.
Everything is certainly good on the pitch right now for Mateta. Only Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals in 2025. The big Frenchman is a man of few words in front of the media.
That’s in spite of the larger-than-life persona which he seems to carry on and off the pitch.
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says he is satisfied he has a big enough squad to cope with the extra workload of Europa Conference League matches that add to his team’s already busy schedule.
However, Mateta did admit he dreams of featuring for his national team at the World Cup – a cause he’ll be pouring all his energy into. Despite a run of four matches in nine days, there’s little chance that Mateta will get an evening off and he’ll therefore have another chance to impress Didier Deschamps.
Oliver Glasner confirms he’ll be picking what he feels is his best team as Palace look to maintain their 100 per cent start to their Conference League campaign. It’s set to be a special evening as the Eagles host their first major European match in the club’s history against AEK Larnaca on Thursday night.
