Wilfried Zaha has responded to comments made by Jean-Philippe Mateta regarding their time at Crystal Palace and Mateta’s aspirations to play for the French national team. Mateta recently stated that his former teammates, including Zaha, were dismissive of his ambitions to play for France.
Mateta’s France Aspirations
Mateta, who has experienced a resurgence in performance with Crystal Palace, made his international debut against Iceland and scored for France. Despite this achievement, he revealed that a few years ago, he felt unsupported in his dreams of playing for the national team.
- Mateta claimed teammates laughed at his ambition, particularly Zaha.
- He emphasized his belief in eventually representing France, stating, “I always believed in playing for the France national team.”
Zaha’s Clarification
In response, Zaha took to social media to clarify the situation. He refuted Mateta’s claims that he laughed at his ambitions, explaining that their exchanges were merely lighthearted banter. Zaha stated:
- His intention was never to belittle Mateta’s dreams.
- The conversation involved multiple teammates, not just the two of them.
Zaha expressed disappointment in how Mateta portrayed their interactions, suggesting it was misleading. “It’s disgusting when I see someone that I thought was a friend do that,” he remarked, urging fans to understand the context behind their discussions.
Friendship Dynamics in Football
The situation highlights the complexities of friendships in professional sports. Zaha pointed out that it’s common for teammates to share banter, especially about competition for positions in the national team.
- Zaha defended his supportive nature throughout his career.
- He stated, “I’ve never hated on anyone,” emphasizing his respect for fellow players.
This incident serves as a reminder of the pressures athletes face and how public perceptions can shift based on personal narratives. Zaha concluded by reaffirming his support for Mateta’s achievements, stating he congratulated him publicly.
