16.10.2025 21:30
Wilfried Zaha, who transferred from Galatasaray to Charlotte, responded to accusations made by his former teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta. Zaha used striking expressions regarding Mateta, stating, "I have never made anyone feel like 'shit'! Everyone knows me. I would never bully anyone. It makes my stomach turn to see someone I thought was my friend do this."
Wilfried Zaha, who transferred from Super Lig giant Galatasaray to MLS team Charlotte FC, got into a fierce controversy with his former teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta, with whom he played at Crystal Palace.
'ZAHA LAUGHED AT ME'
The French footballer Mateta stated in an interview that Zaha laughed at him and mocked him when he talked about his dream of playing for the French National Team. In his statement, the French player said, "When I was talking about my dreams regarding the French National Team in the locker room during my time at Crystal Palace in England, many of my teammates, including Wilfried Zaha, were laughing at me."
Continuing his words, Jean-Philippe Mateta said, "They told me I was crazy for thinking about the French National Team even though I wasn't playing at Crystal Palace, but I said that this was my goal and that I needed to play to show what I could do."
FIRST TIME IN THE NATIONAL TEAM
After years, Mateta finally achieved his dream of wearing the French National Team jersey. The star player played in the match where France defeated Azerbaijan 3-0, fulfilling his past dream.
STRIKING RESPONSE FROM ZAHA TO MATETA
Wilfried Zaha responded to the statements of 28-year-old Mateta. Expressing that he was surprised by what his former teammate said, Zaha stated, "I’m very confused. I need to resolve this Mateta issue. Because he doesn’t want to. I talked to him and he doesn’t want to, that’s fine. This clearly shows me that the people who watched me during my time at Crystal Palace are not happy for me."
"IT MAKES ME SICK"
Zaha, who said that the events made him sick, stated, "I have never made anyone feel like 's**t'! Everyone knows me. The times I am passionate are when I am on the field. But I would never bully someone or tell someone they can't come here or will never come. Seeing someone I thought was my friend do this makes me sick."