“Every ambitious player wants that” – Mateta admits Champions League dream

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s rise at Crystal Palace has been one of the most impressive stories in English football over the past 18 months. Fresh from his first-ever call-up to the French national team, the 28-year-old striker has spoken candidly about his ambition to reach the Champions League stage.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Mateta explained that joining the France squad has made him reflect on the next step in his career. Surrounded by teammates who play for clubs regularly competing in Europe’s elite competition, the Palace forward admitted it has fuelled his motivation.

“Every ambitious player wants that step,” Mateta said. “When you join the national team and look around, you only see players who play in the Champions League and win major trophies. When you’re among the best, you naturally want to reach that level too.”

Mateta’s words come after a historic 2024/25 season in which Palace lifted both the FA Cup and the Community Shield. Under manager Oliver Glasner, the Eagles have carried that momentum into the new Premier League campaign and currently sit sixth, showcasing a squad capable of competing with the top sides.

“We’ve got a great group and an excellent manager. We try to follow everything he asks,” Mateta added, paying tribute to Glasner’s impact on the team’s mentality and organisation.

The Frenchman has already scored four times in 12 appearances this season across all competitions, further underlining his consistency. His domestic form, coupled with European experience in the UEFA Conference League, highlights his growing profile at both club and international level.

Mateta’s path has not been straightforward. During Palace’s FA Cup run last season, he suffered a serious concussion after a collision against Millwall, an incident that left him requiring a protective helmet for a period.

“It’s behind me now,” he explained. “Even when I wore the helmet, I didn’t think about it. People remind me when they see the scar, but for me, it’s over.”

Asked if he fears aerial duels following the injury, the striker was defiant: “No, not at all. Maybe in the first few training sessions with the helmet, you’re a bit hesitant, but then it goes away. Football in England is tough.”

This season also marks Mateta’s first taste of European football, with Palace competing in the Conference League. The striker admits the schedule has been challenging but sees it as vital preparation for greater ambitions.

“It’s intense, with many games in a short time, but you get used to it,” he said. When reminded that the Champions League demands even more, Mateta laughed: “Exactly!”

His hunger for the next step only confirms the drive that has fuelled his late rise: ambition, resilience, and the belief that the best is yet to come.

FootballPlace analyst John William says Mateta’s ambition is a natural consequence of his progress:

“Mateta has grown into a complete striker under Glasner. He’s resilient, he’s clinical, and he’s proved he can handle pressure at the top level. His Champions League ambition shouldn’t be seen as a distraction – it’s a marker of how far he’s come. Palace will hope that dream can be realised in south London rather than elsewhere.”

For now, Mateta’s focus will remain on delivering for Crystal Palace, who continue to punch above their weight in the Premier League and Conference League. With France opportunities also opening up, he knows continued scoring form is the key to securing his spot in Didier Deschamps’ squad.

Whether his Champions League dream is eventually realised at Selhurst Park or through a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs, Mateta’s trajectory suggests he has no intention of slowing down.

👉 Can Jean-Philippe Mateta achieve his Champions League dream with Crystal Palace – or will another big club come calling?