In January, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was on the cusp of a move to AC Milan but a failed medical saw him stay in South London and write himself into the record books.
His 51st-minute winner for the Eagles against Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League Final has now ensured that whatever happens in the future, he will always be remembered in SE25.
“It means a lot, especially since we're the first [players] in club history to have brought home this trophy and to be part of this team where we can say, we will be legends, right? It's heartwarming, and I can't wait to celebrate. I can't wait to party,” said the France striker about his exploits in Leipzig this week.
“I feel fantastic. I love those moments and we did it as a team. I dreamed of that moment, because this season I had a lot of emotion and now I have scored the winning goal. The win means a lot, because we worked so hard. At the start of the season we had some issues but we stuck together, kept working hard and now is the reward.
“We bring a European trophy for the first time ever to Crystal Palace and I’m just enjoying it with the fans. I am very happy, and to do my (goal) celebration in front of the fans; it can’t be better.”
After his failed move to AC Milan, the striker returned to Palace, with manager Oliver Glasner not naming him for the match against Nottingham Forest, saying he was ‘not in the right place’.
But since that squad omission at the end of January, the 28-year-old has refocused, not only playing his way back into the Palace squad, but Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“[After] what happened in January, I just came back. In my mind I worked so hard and I was patient, and I believed as well,” he said about his start to the year.
“It was crazy; I just kept working hard and I listened to the gaffer. Most important [was that] I listened to what he wants from me, for the team and I know if I listen to him, I can help the team to win. I kept believing and I think of the rewards now – but my season is not finished, I have the World Cup now.”
And amongst the celebrations in Germany, Mateta took time out to reflect on his relationship with Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who was overseeing his final game before leaving the club.
“It’s football, you know, it's crazy. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but let's see,” said the former Mainz striker about coping without Glasner, before turning his attention to the support of his relatives.
“My family have always been a big support [for me]. My mother is always there, but I’m just a little bit sad because my father, he's not here for me (he passed away in 2021), but I know he's happy for me.”
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