The October international break allowed Didier Deschamps to validate a brand new international tricolor. Coming into play against Azerbaijan and starting in Iceland – with a goal to boot – Jean-Philippe Mateta was thus able to don his first two caps with the A. A consecration for the man who in the summer of 2024 had shone in the ranks of the French Olympic team built by Thierry Henry.
The person concerned experienced this as a great revenge. Witness this anecdote confided to L’Equipe when he had just arrived in England in 2021. “ At Crystal Palace, at the very beginning, when I wasn't even playing, I was talking in the locker room of the France team and I had teammates like Wilfried Zaha who were laughing… They told me I was crazy for thinking about the France team when I wasn't even playing at Crystal Palace. But I replied that that was the goal to achieve and that I simply had to play to show what I could do.
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This confession reached the Ivorian international, who was strongly moved by it. “ I'm sorry, but my head is on firesays Wilfried Zaha in a message shared on social networks. I need to clarify this Mateta matter. I never harassed anyone or said that someone wouldn't make it, or that they wouldn't make it at all, or anything like that. It's disgusting to see someone I thought was a friend doing this! »
“It’s really disgusting”, Zaha can’t digest it
The former Lyonnais gives his version of the facts and sets the context: “ The conversation was about his chances of playing for France, back when he wasn't playing for Palace. There were ten players in this discussion. Among friends, we laughed about it, but we joked that it would be difficult, especially with Benzema and all these different players in these positions. But we never said: “You’ll never make it!” » »
“ Why did he say my name when there were ten people present? Is it just because Zaha is the biggest name? », asks the Elephant again, obviously a bit sensitive. “ I don't understand. It's disgusting. I never hated anyonehe concludes. Now I get messages: “Oh, you’re not making fun of Mateta anymore.” I don't really care. Bravo to him. I even congratulated him publicly on his Instagram. So, hearing this story come out…what the fuck? You hated me all this time for you to bring this story out? Did you say to yourself: “I’m going to use Zaha for my beautiful story?” » It's really disgusting, man, it's disgusting. That's why I don't have any footballer friends, that's why I stay discreet. How can he do this? »
