Six months after his silver medal at the Olympic Games with the French team led by Thierry Henry, is Jean-Philippe Mateta's chances to integrate the Blues of Didier Deschamps? The question arises. Response in March for the quarterfinals of the League of Nations against Croatia (go on the 20th, return on the 23rd in Saint-Denis). In the meantime, the 27-year-old center forward continues to flambé with Crystal Palace. Mateta is even in great shape. Since the beginning of 2025, there have been six goals in five games with the Eagles!
The native of Sevran trained in Châteauroux offered himself a double during the victory of Palace in the lair of Old Trafford against Manchester United (0-2), Sunday afternoon. Mateta opened the scoring at the time of play by following a shot postponed by the transverse bar of André Onana (64th). Then he completed the Red Devils just before additional time taking advantage of a Daniel Munoz service, put in orbit by Ismaïla Sarr (89th). Here he is at 10 championship achievements this season, after his record of 16 goals last year. The Londoners also double the Mancunians taking 12th place.
The Blues or the Congo for Mateta?
Despite his 1.92 m giant profile, the same size as a certain Olivier Giroud, JP Mateta is unlikely to be “promoted” in the French team. “La Dèche” is already counting on three players well installed in the group to occupy the tip of the tricolor attack: Kylian Mbappé, a captain of the Blues who should make his return while he is in great shape with Real Madrid, Randal Kolo Muani, author of three goals in two matches since his arrival at Juventus, and Marcus Thuram, excellent with Inter alongside Lautaro Martinez at the forefront.
Note that Mateta is from DR Congo and that he can completely represent leopards in the future. The selection led by Chancel Mbemba faces South Sudan and Mauritania next month in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers to stay in the first place race (qualifying for the World Cup). The Congolese have seven points after four matches in their qualifying group, appearing behind the Sudanese (10 points) and Senegal (8 points).
