What a completely crazy season Jean-Philippe Mateta is experiencing. The French striker from Crystal Palace has had a series of major turning points and strong emotions, between collective titles, an explosion in the club and above all a late, but very existing, international recognition. Already winner of the Community Shield at the start of the season against Liverpool, after a match concluded on penalties (2-2, 3-2 tab), he had already enriched his record after winning the FA Cup the previous season against Manchester City. But this year, everything has accelerated for the player born in Sevran, now the center of attention.
But Mateta’s journey takes on even more relief when we go back to his last years. Under the orders of Thierry Henry during the 2024 Olympic Games, he reached the final with the French Olympic team before losing to Spain, a founding experience in his progression. Two years later, he reached an unexpected milestone: despite being too old for a first selection, he was called up to the Blues at the age of 28. A relative surprise as his club performances have been solid in recent years. With Crystal Palace, he has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season and displays a rare consistency which has convinced the French staff, since he now has 2 goals in 3 selections.
Stakes still immense for Mateta
This rise in power could have been slowed down by an aborted transfer to AC Milan during the winter transfer window. The Italian club was close to recruiting him before his medical examination blocked the operation. A hard blow at the time, but which did not prevent him from immediately bouncing back on his return to the Premier League. Despite doubts about his physical condition, he was able to respond on the pitch. His trainer Oliver Glasner also made a point of emphasizing his importance in the squad last March: “It’s good that he’s back.” He was injured in November during the international break and subsequently played almost all of Crystal Palace’s matches despite a sore knee. He always gave 100% for this team, I have enormous respect for him. »
And the story could get even better in the coming days. Crystal Palace are in a position to win the Europa Conference League if they win the final against Rayo Vallecano, which would constitute the club’s very first European title. A major deadline for Mateta, who is now looking further ahead, until the 2026 World Cup. His dream came true when he was called up by Didier Deschamps. The coach justified this choice, quite unexpected, at a press conference: “Mateta will be able to bring a different register, he has a very good heading game, he can offer us a different option at one time or another. » The attacker himself did not hide his emotion: “It’s a childhood dream. I don’t realize it yet. I can bring something different with my profile. »
If for most European teams the season is over, Jean-Philippe Mateta still has a lot to play for at the end of the 2025-2026 season. The player, who played for OL in 2016-2017, will have to be present on the pitch: from this Wednesday evening at the Red Bull Arena, but especially in America with the Blues. Indeed, between his rise in the club, his late international recognition, his failed transfer and an immense imminent European challenge, Jean-Philippe Mateta has gone through all the emotions this season. And while the C4 final looms, another immense objective remains in his sights: the 2026 World Cup, where he could well embody one of the surprises of the France group.
