Wilfried Zaha Furious Over Mateta’s Controversial Interview

Wilfried Zaha has publicly criticized former Crystal Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta following a controversial interview. Zaha described Mateta’s remarks as “disgusting,” revealing his frustration over what he perceived as an unfair portrayal of their relationship.

Background on Zaha and Mateta

The two players were teammates at Crystal Palace for two and a half seasons, from 2021 until Zaha’s departure to Galatasaray in 2023. Mateta’s time at Crystal Palace was challenging, with the striker scoring only six goals during his initial 18-month loan. However, his fortunes changed significantly leading up to his recent international debut for France.

Mateta’s Controversial Interview

In a recent interview with L’Equipe, Mateta claimed that his aspirations for the French national team were met with skepticism from teammates, including Zaha. He stated, “At Crystal Palace, right at the start, when I wasn’t even playing… I spoke about the France team in the dressing room and team-mates like Wilfried Zaha were laughing.”

Zaha’s Response

Zaha was quick to respond, expressing his disbelief and anger on social media. “My head’s on fire. I have to clear up this Mateta situation,” he said. In his statements, Zaha emphasized that he and several teammates joked about Mateta’s prospects, given the competitive nature of the French squad. He clarified that they never intended to belittle Mateta’s ambitions.

Key Points from Zaha’s Reaction

• Zaha insists there was no malice in the joking comments made regarding Mateta’s chances of playing for France.
• He expressed disappointment that Mateta would use their relationship to further his narrative.
• Zaha affirmed his support for Mateta, having even congratulated him on social media after his recent call-up.

Zaha’s outburst highlighted his belief that Mateta’s claims misrepresented their friendship, stating, “It’s nasty, man. This is why I don’t have football friends.” He also addressed the broader context of football banter among players and reinforced that he never aimed to undermine Mateta’s potential.

Mateta’s Recent Achievements

Despite the controversy, Mateta has shown impressive progress on the field. He recently earned his first call-up to the French national team and scored on his debut during a match against Azerbaijan.

Zaha concluded his response with a call for clarity, wishing to move past the comments and maintain a healthy perspective on their former partnership. The ongoing dialogue raises questions about the dynamics of friendships in professional sports, especially in moments of triumph and adversity.