JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA played down his rift with Wilfried Zaha and revealed the pair held a private conversation to clear the air.
after earning his first senior call-up.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has played down his rift with Wilfried ZahaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Former Crystal Palace star Zaha criticised his ex-team-mate, who claimed that he was laughed at for thinking he could break into the France squadCredit: PA
The striker, 28, said Eagles players including Zaha laughed at him for thinking he could ever break into the France squad when he was struggling for minutes or goals at Selhurst Park at the time.
hit back on social media, labelling Mateta’s comments “nasty” and “disgusting”.
He added in a furious video that he would “never bully someone or say someone won’t make it” and questioned whether – who he played with between 2021 and 2023 – was ever really a friend.
Pressed on his version of events and if things had been ironed over, Mateta said ahead of Thursday’s clash with AEK Larnaca: “No, I spoke with him. Everything was good with him.
“We talked privately and that’s it.”
Mateta then admitted he dreams of leading the line for France at next summer’s .
The Palace star made his debut in the qualifier against Azerbaijan then grabbed his maiden goal for Les Bleus in a 2-2 draw away in Iceland.
And after playing a small part in France’s inevitable qualification, Mateta hopes he can be part of the squad in North America next summer alongside ex-Palace pal .
The silver medalist – who faces competition from the likes of , and in ’ star-studded squad – said: “It’s my dream to go to the and I will do everything to go there.
“But first I have to do the job with every day, every game.
“My debut was a dream come true. I hope I get called up again.
“I’m very proud of myself. I’m very happy and I think I deserve it.
“I’m a very ambitious guy and when I think about something I try to do everything to make it come true.”
Fresh from his , Mateta looks set to lead the line for Oliver Glasner once again despite the Larnaca match being the first of four in nine days and six in 17.
Palace go to on Sunday and in the on Wednesday before hosting next Saturday.
The crazy schedule then sees the Eagles take on AZ Alkmaar (Nov 6) and rivals (Nov 9) before the next international break.
Glasner only made one substitute during the dramatic 3-3 draw, bringing on for Yeremy Pino.
But even with the brutal set of games, he insists Palace will be at full strength against the Cypriot outfit – on paper, their easiest match of this horror run.
Glasner, who is without suspended Borna Sosa but has no injury concerns, said: “We will play the best available team to get the win against Larnaca, like always.
“Now we are at the beginning of many games coming up. At the moment, the players look fresh.
“It’s looking at who is available, who is fit, who is in the best shape, and then nominating the team.
“You can say, ‘OK, you get minutes.’ But sometimes if you change eight or nine positions at once, it doesn’t work out because they never train together.
“We want to qualify straight for the round of 16. AZ and Strasbourg are in the top five or six teams in the Conference League.
“These are challenging games but we want to compete. Therefore, we have to be on our top level.”
