France has always produced some of the greatest footballers ever to grace the pitch with their presence. In this countless list of talents, many have been underappreciated for their skills and success. In this list of underrated French footballers comes a striker with a knack for scoring goals and remains one of the most prolific strikers for his side. It is none other than French footballer Jean-Phillipe Mateta, whose skills and achievements are not widely celebrated or talked about.
Born on June 28, 1997, Jean-Phillipe Mateta currently plays for Premier League club Crystal Palace FC as an attacker and is known for his immense goal-scoring skills. He was born in Sevran, France, and had an itch for playing football since his childhood. Apart from Crystal Palace, he has also played for France U-19, U-21, and U-23 squads scoring crucial goals.
His quick decision-making and pacy runs have seen him netting the goal on several occasions for numerous clubs over the years. As he thrives in the Premier League being the star striker for Crystal Palace, Jean-Phillipe Mateta has made a name for himself in several other countries and regions before making it big into the Premier League.
| Full Name | Jean-Phillipe Mateta |
| Net Worth | €4 Million |
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Sevran, France |
| Height | 1.92 m (6ft 4 in) |
| Nationality | French |
| Current Club | Crystal Palace FC |
| National Team | France |
| Instagram Followers | 120 Thousand |
Jean-Phillipe Mateta Net Worth and Salary
Given his impressive goal-scoring skills and immense involvement in the game, Jean-Phillipe Mateta is Crystal Palace’s first-choice striker and the club always remains to have high hopes for the 27-year-old. His instantaneous runs and flexible attacking prowess have always benefitted him helping him score consistent goals each week.
The attacker has an estimated Net Worth of around €4 Million from his club and other investments. He is being paid € 60,660 weekly by Crystal Palace adding more to his overall Net Worth. His current contract is till 2026 and with 2 years left on his current contract, Jean-Phillipe Mateta will be earning €6.31 Million in these two years.
Given his hefty fees and Net Worth, Mateta aims to deliver each time he steps on the pitch trying to justify his price tag by scoring consistent goals for club and country.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta Family and Early Life
Jean-Phillipe Mateta was born to a Congolese father while his mother was French. His father was a professional footballer in his time and even played for his country Congo and also ventured throughout Liège in Belgium to play football.
Known for his immense footballing skills at an early age, Mateta’s father, unfortunately, experienced a thigh injury that saw him give up on his football dream. His father aimed to make life better for Mateta insisting he focus on his studies rather than playing football. His mother however became a huge supporter of Mateta and convinced his father to let him pursue Football.
Mateta began his footballing path of success by joining his neighborhood club Olympique de Sevran. Mateta scored several goals in every game showcasing his excellence which saw him accepting a youth contract with French association football club Châteauroux.
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Jean-Phillipe Mateta Club Career Stats
Jean-Phillipe Mateta started his club career with French football club Châteauroux and scored consistent goals each week. Impressed by his goal-scoring abilities, Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais signed the youth footballer in September 2016. His deal was a five-year contract with the club with a hefty fee of €2 million.
He made three appearances for Lyon which saw him showcasing excellent speed and well-timed runs. Despite not scoring a goal, he was approached by Ligue 2 club Le Havre for a season-long loan. It was a perfect start for Mateta in the Ligue 2 as he scored 19 goals in his 37 outings for Le Havre throughout the 2017-18 season.
Seeing his impressive performances in France, Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 signed the Striker in a four-year deal with the club which was the most expensive signing in the club’s history. In his three seasons with the club, Mateta tried to make a huge name for himself scoring several goals. Mateta scored 27 goals for the Bundesliga side in his 71 appearances cementing his name in Germany.
2021 brought him to England as Premier Club Crystal Palace signed him on loan giving him mainstream attention. In less than a month, Mateta scored his first goal for the club. January 2022 saw him getting a permanent deal from the Premier League side. During his initial years at the club, he wasn’t the first-choice striker but tried to perform well on any given day.
The 2023-24 season was game-changing for the French footballer as scored against big clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool gaining the manager’s trust. He was included in the starting lineup in almost every match which saw him scoring back-to-back goals for Palace.
| Club | Appearances | Goals |
| Châteauroux | 27 | 16 |
| Lyon | 3 | 0 |
| Le Havre | 38 | 20 |
| Mainz 05 | 71 | 27 |
| Crystal Palace | 127 | 36 |
Jean-Phillipe Mateta International Career Stats
While Mateta hasn’t been a standout performer in the senior team, he has been in several top-tier games scoring crucial goals for the French National team. He was a part of the final squad for the 2024 Olympics and was one of the three overage players on the team. He scored a crucial goal against Argentina in the Quarter-finals of the tournament which saw France advancing to the semi-final against Egypt.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored two goals against the Egyptian side showcasing brilliant skills and immaculate finishes sending his team to the Finals against Spain. Mateta revived the Final by scoring an equalizer in the 93rd minute taking the match to extra time which unfortunately saw the France team lose.
He has also been a part of the France U-21, France U-19 and France U-23 squad and has scored essential goals in several Cup competitions.
| National Team | Appearances | Goals |
| France U-19 | 3 | 1 |
| France U-21 | 4 | 1 |
| France U-23 | 6 | 5 |
Jean-Phillipe Mateta Personal Life
The French Striker has been a hard worker for most of his professional career and has always been dedicated to football in its entirety. His work ethic and fitness regime are always his main priority and it is evident with his recent performances for Crystal Palace.
As for his love life, he has been in a relationship since 2023 with someone he chose not to disclose. According to several rumors, the duo met back in Paris and recently traveled to Brazil for a holiday. While there is not much information available regarding his girlfriend, it remains to be seen when will Mateta publicly announce his relationship with his rumored girlfriend.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta loves travelling and that is evident with his several photos where he is enjoying life by travelling to new countries and exploring several picnic spots. He is also aware of the fashion sense going on and has a luxurious wardrobe which he often shares on Instagram.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta Honours and Achievements
As he continues his footballing journey, Mateta aims for the top prize by giving consistent and impressive performances with Crystal Palace in recent months. The 2023-24 season brought him several wonders as he scored four times in manager Oliver Glasner’s first six matches in charge. He was also nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month for the first time in April of 2024 after scoring back-to-back goals against West Ham United and Newcastle United.
After scoring against Manchester United in May of 2024, he also became the first Premier League scorer to net a goal in each of a manager’s first six home games for a club since 1997. He also became the first-ever player for Crystal Palace to score in six consecutive home games.
Given his impressive form and goal-scoring abilities, he was also named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Year and also became the first French footballer to achieve this. He also shined during the Paris Olympics 2024 taking home the Silver Medal for France in a stellar performance at the final.
As Mateta tries to raise the standards in the upcoming seasons, only time will tell how the French footballer carves his path ahead and increases his achievement tally in the upcoming years.
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Which country was Jean-Phillipe Mateta born in?
Jean-Phillipe Mateta was born in Sevran, France to a Congolese Father and a French Mother.
When was Jean-Phillipe Mateta born?
Jean-Phillipe Mateta was born on June 28, 1997.
How old is Jean-Phillipe Mateta?
Jean-Phillipe Mateta is currently 27 years old.
Is Jean-Phillipe Mateta Crystal Palace’s all time top scorer?
Jean-Phillipe Mateta is the ninth top scorer for Crystal Palace and has a long road to be at the top.
How much Jean-Phillipe Mateta earns with Crystal Palace FC?
Mateta is being paid € 60,660 weekly by Crystal Palace and has 2 years left on his overall contract.