Jean-Philippe Mateta has finally addressed the controversy surrounding Wilfried Zaha’s fiery social media outburst, offering his own version of events in what has become one of the most unexpected disputes involving two former Crystal Palace teammates.
The French forward, who recently made his long-awaited debut for the France national team, found himself at the centre of attention last week after claiming that several teammates at Selhurst Park had mocked his international ambitions — including Zaha, who he said laughed when he first spoke of playing for Les Bleus.
Zaha reacted furiously to those comments, describing Mateta’s remarks as “disgusting” and accusing the striker of twisting the truth to create a “false narrative” for personal gain. In a passionate video shared across his social media platforms, the Ivorian international insisted that he would “never bully anyone,” calling Mateta’s story “nasty” and “heartbreaking.”
🔹 Mateta Responds: “It Was Never About Disrespect”
Now, Mateta has broken his silence, revealing that he never intended to portray Zaha negatively. Speaking to L’Équipe in a follow-up interview, the 28-year-old clarified that his comments were taken out of context and that his reference to Zaha was meant as part of a “light-hearted dressing room memory,” not an accusation of bullying.
> “I never said Wilf was disrespectful or that he laughed to hurt me,” Mateta explained. “It was a funny moment in training — something that happens in every locker room. But people made it sound like I was attacking him personally, which I wasn’t. I have too much respect for him as a player and as a legend of Crystal Palace.”
Mateta went on to admit that he was “surprised” by the intensity of Zaha’s response but suggested that misunderstandings can easily escalate in the era of social media.
> “When I saw his video, I was shocked. Maybe he thought I meant it in a bad way, but that wasn’t my intention. Sometimes one sentence becomes a headline, and suddenly it’s a war. But for me, there is no war,” he added.
🔹 From Teammates to Tension
Zaha and Mateta spent more than two years together at Crystal Palace, where they developed an on-field understanding and mutual respect before Zaha’s move to Galatasaray in 2023. However, this recent disagreement has revealed how easily old comments can spark emotional reactions, particularly when careers diverge and public perception takes over.
While Zaha has continued to defend his name — insisting he was “hurt” to be portrayed as unsupportive — Mateta’s new statements may help to calm the situation, reframing the incident as a case of misunderstanding rather than animosity.
🔹 A Miscommunication in the Modern Game
Mateta’s “shocking revelation” — that his words were never intended as an attack and that Zaha may have misinterpreted the tone — adds a new dimension to a story that has captured the attention of both Premier League and Ligue 1 fans.
The French forward concluded:
> “I wish Wilf the best. I’m proud of my journey, and maybe this situation shows how easily things can be taken the wrong way. But there’s no bad blood from me.”
