If Jean-Philippe Mateta was called up for the first time with the French team for the October rally, Thierry Henry is no stranger to it. Giving the 1m93 striker his chance in the summer of 2024 during the Olympic Games, the former Arsenal striker is no stranger to the former OL's success at Crystal Palace and the Olympics with five goals in six matches. Forming a special relationship, the two men spoke after Mateta's first call-up with the Blues.
On the waves of RMCthe 28-year-old striker confided that Thierry Henry sent him a short message to congratulate him on this achievement: “if I spoke with Thierry Henry? Yes, he is one of them. He called me, he didn't send me a message. He was really happy for me. He told me I deserved it. I had some discussions with him, he still helps me today. He is one of the people who gives me advice that I use. If he spoke with Didier Deschamps? I don't know but I hope Thierry spoke for me.»
