Ivory Coast‘s star furious response to Mateta‘s claims

This October was perhaps the best ever month in Jean-Phillipe Mateta‘s career. Crystal Palace striker has been given his first call-up to the senior team at the 28 years of age. Coach Didier Deschamps gave him the chance to prove himself and after a sub appearance in the first, he started an scored in his second game for France. But along the way, it seems that he lost a friend because of that. Mateta‘s story is a good an a motivational one, and the point is that you should never give up on your dreams, but while explaining his story, the Frenchman pointed out at his former teammate Wilfried Zaha, which caused a furious response from the current Charlotte FC forward.

It's never too late - just look at Mateta

Mateta talked for L‘Equipe and remembered what happened when he reveled his France national team dreams to his teammates.

“At Crystal Palace, right at the start, when I wasn't even playing, I spoke about the France team in the dressing room and I had team-mates like Wilfried Zaha who were laughing. They said that I was mad to think about the France team when I wasn't even playing at Crystal Palace, but I responded saying that it was my objective and that I simply had to play to show what I could do. My dream has always been to play for the France team. I knew that I would get my chance“ he revealed.

Soon, he got a response. From the Ivory Coast forwards himself.

“I'm sorry but my head's on fire. I've got to clear up this Mateta situation because he doesn't want to and this just shows me that... see the times when I was playing at Crystal Palace and all these people were watching me and it's clear they weren't happy for me because I never made anyone feel like s***. I never... everyone knows me, the only time on a pitch is when I'm passionate and all of that stuff but I never bullied someone or said someone won't make it here or won't make it at all or nothing like that. It's disgusting when I see someone who I thought was a friend do that“ he started.

Born in Ivory Coast, he ruled England, and the time has come to conquer USA

Former Manchester United player then went on to explained what happened:

“The conversation that was had was his chances of playing for France way back when he wasn't playing for Palace and there were 10 players that he had this conversation with and as friends, we laughed it off but we were joking around, saying that it is going to be difficult, especially with Benzema all these different players playing in those positions. But we never ever once said "you're never going to make it". So wouldn't you be shocked, especially with football banter with your mates, wouldn't you be shocked if this person asked this to 10 people, I swear to you, 10 Crystal Palace players were there when this conversation was had, wouldn't you be shocked that this person has made out like there was some sort of hate from me? 'Why would he say my name when there was 10 people there? Is it just because Zaha is the biggest name? I do not understand. It's disgusting. I've never hated on anyone. Now I'm getting messages: "Oh you're not laughing now at Mateta." I couldn't care less. Well done to him. I even congratulated him publicly on his Instagram. So to hear that story come out it's like what the f***? Did you dislike me this whole time for you to come out with this, your come up story, "I'm going to use Zaha as my come up story"? Like it's nasty man, it's nasty. This is why I don't have football friends, this is why I keep myself to myself, because how is he going to do that?“ said the furious player.