Crystal Palace‘s Jean-Philippe Mateta is refusing to give up on representing France in November, after missing out on the last international break.
In January 2021, the striker arrived at Selhurst Park initially on an 18-month loan from 1. FSV Mainz 05. He enjoyed a good run after Oliver Glasner joined Crystal Palace in February 2022.
Mateta managed 62 goals and 14 assists from 203 matches for the London club, and 46 goals and eight assists came under Glasner.
The Austrian helped them win the FA Cup, Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League. He left at the end of last season, and Pierre Sage replaced him in the summer.
Crystal Palace star’s run with France
Last season, the 29-year-old finished with 16 goals and three assists from 50 matches. He regularly impressed at Crystal Palace, which led to his first call-up in October 2025.
Jean-Philippe Mateta made his senior debut later that month and also represented France at the World Cup. He has two goals from seven matches so far. Juventus wanted to sign him in the summer window, but a move never materialised.
Mateta started in the defeat to Everton in August and that has been his only appearance this season. He has been on the sidelines since then because of a hamstring injury.
After the World Cup, Didier Deschamps ended his 14-year spell and Les Bleus appointed Zinedine Zidane as his successor. The new coach left the Eagles star out of his first list.
| Season | Appearances | Minutes played | Goals | Assists | Minutes per goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 7 | 217 | 1 | 0 | 217 |
| 2021/22 | 28 | 1,572 | 7 | 1 | 225 |
| 2022/23 | 32 | 963 | 2 | 0 | 482 |
| 2023/24 | 39 | 2,573 | 19 | 5 | 135 |
| 2024/25 | 46 | 3,303 | 17 | 4 | 194 |
| 2025/26 | 50 | 3,400 | 16 | 3 | 213 |
| 2026/27 so far | 1 | 63 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Total | 203 | 12,091 | 62 | 13 | 195 |
| All competitive senior first-team matches, including the Community Shield and European competition. Includes his initial loan spell. Excludes youth matches and friendlies. Minutes per goal rounded to the nearest whole minute. Figures checked on 9 October 2026. |
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Crystal Palace man has to shine
Jean-Philippe Mateta is confident he can represent the national team again, and his next goal is to play for Zinedine Zidane’s France. He revealed this during a chat with RMC Sport and Foot Mercato have relayed his comments.
“I know it’s not over. I’m going to do everything I can to get back into the squad,” he said.
“Playing for Zidane? That would be a dream; he’s one of the best players in the history of the French national team. It would be a dream, just like it was a dream to play under Deschamps. I’m going to do everything I can to be called up in November.”
Starting this weekend, Pierre Sage’s side have nine matches until the next international break. Mateta has to regain full fitness and impress for Crystal Palace to be called up for November’s matches.
