Deschamps urges Mateta to compete for spot in France’s team with enthusiasm

Crystal Palace Vooruit Jean-Philippe Mateta was called to the French team because of his «good habit» to score goals, but the 28-year-old will still have to prove on the field and in training, said coach Didier Deschamps.

Mateta scored 17 goals in all competitions last season when Palace won the FA Cup to eliminate the first major trophy of his 164-year-old history.

He previously played in the French youth teams and played last year at the Olympic Games of Paris and won a silver medal.

This month, France is confronted with Azerbaijan and Iceland in a few World Cup qualifications, where Mateta hopes to argue for his admission to Deschamps’s Squad for next year’s World Cup in North -America.

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«He has to do what he knows how to do, namely to play as naturally as possible,» Deschamps told reporters on Monday.

“He has a good habit of scoring goals, either for his club or with the younger teams and the Olympic team during the Olympic Games. So this is a big moment for him. Let him come with his enthusiasm and his qualities.

«He knows most players because he has also seen in the younger teams. It’s not about winning me (personally). That’s not how it works. (He has to prove himself) in the team, in training and during competitions.»

Deschamps added that attacker Kylian Mbappe was treated for an injury he had picked up while playing for Real Madrid in a 3-1 LaLiga victory on Villarreal on Saturday.

«He had a small problem, but it is not a dealbreaker, otherwise he would not be here today. We take the time with the medical staff to assess the situation. And then we will see how it develops,» said the Frenchman.

Group D leader Frances organizes Azerbaijan in the Parc des Princes on the bottom side on 10 October before he travels to Iceland three days later.

Published on October 07, 2025