40 Facts About Jean-Philippe Mateta

Early Life and Background

Jean-Philippe Mateta's journey to becoming a professional footballer is rooted in his early life and family background. Let's explore the beginnings of this talented striker.

1. Birth and Early Life: Jean-Philippe Mateta was born on June 28, 1997, in Châteauroux, France. His father, a former professional footballer, played in Congo and Liège, Belgium.

2. Height and Weight: Mateta stands tall at 192 cm (6 feet 3.5 inches) and weighs 82 kg (181 lbs), giving him a physical advantage on the field.

3. Position: He plays as a forward, primarily as a striker, known for his clinical finishing.

4. Youth Career: Mateta began his youth career with LB Châteauroux before moving to Olympique Lyonnais in 2016, where he honed his skills.

Professional Debut and Early Career

Mateta's professional journey took off with his debut and subsequent loan spells, which helped him develop his game.

5. Professional Debut: Mateta made his professional debut for Lyon on September 21, 2016, against Montpellier in a 5–1 home win. He replaced Maxwel Cornet after 76 minutes.

6. Loan to Le Havre: In July 2017, Mateta joined Ligue 2 side Le Havre on a season-long loan. During his time there, he scored 19 goals in 37 matches, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.

Rise in the Bundesliga

Mateta's move to the Bundesliga marked a significant step in his career, where he continued to impress with his performances.

7. Move to Mainz 05: On June 29, 2018, Mateta signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05, becoming the most expensive signing in the club's history.

8. First Senior Hat-Trick: Mateta scored his first senior hat-trick on April 5, 2019, in a 5–0 league victory over SC Freiburg.

Premier League Journey

Mateta's transition to the Premier League with Crystal Palace has been a crucial phase in his career, where he has made significant contributions.

9. Transfer to Crystal Palace: In 2021, Mateta joined Premier League club Crystal Palace, where he has established himself as a key player.

10. Crystal Palace Player of the Year: For the 2023–24 season, Mateta was named Crystal Palace Player of the Year, highlighting his significant contributions to the team.

Goals and Assists

Mateta's goal-scoring ability and playmaking skills have been vital for his teams. Let's delve into his stats.

11. Goalscoring Record: As of the latest statistics, Mateta has scored 26 goals in 97 appearances for Crystal Palace, including a hat-trick against Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the League Cup.

12. Assists and Passing: Mateta has provided 6 assists in his Premier League career with Crystal Palace, while also completing 866 passes with a pass completion percentage of 71.4%.

Shooting and Penalty Stats

Mateta's shooting accuracy and penalty record are noteworthy aspects of his game.

13. Shooting Accuracy: His shooting accuracy stands at 48%, with 56 shots on target out of 116 total shots taken in the Premier League.

14. Penalty Record: Mateta has scored 2 penalties in his Premier League career with Crystal Palace.

Hat-Tricks and Goals per Match

Mateta's ability to score hat-tricks and his goals per match average demonstrate his consistency.

15. Hat-Tricks: He has achieved one hat-trick in his Premier League career, which was against Plymouth Argyle in the League Cup.

16. Goals per Match: Mateta averages 0.27 goals per match in the Premier League, demonstrating his consistent goal-scoring ability.

Aerial and Footed Goals

Mateta's versatility in scoring with his head and both feet makes him a formidable striker.

17. Headed Goals: He has scored 3 headed goals in the Premier League, showcasing his aerial ability.

18. Goals with Right Foot: Mateta has scored 17 goals with his right foot and 6 goals with his left foot in the Premier League.

Missed Chances and Discipline

Even top players miss chances and need to maintain discipline on the field. Mateta is no exception.

19. Big Chances Missed: Despite his goal-scoring record, Mateta has missed 15 big chances in the Premier League, indicating that he often has opportunities to score but sometimes fails to capitalize.

20. Discipline: He has received 8 yellow cards in the Premier League, but no red cards, demonstrating his discipline on the field.

Team Play and Defensive Contributions

Mateta's involvement in team play and his defensive contributions highlight his all-around abilities.

21. Team Play: Mateta’s involvement in team play is evident through his 6 assists and 30 crosses in the Premier League.

22. Defensive Contributions: While primarily an attacking player, Mateta contributes defensively with 39 tackles, 22 blocked shots, and 11 interceptions in the Premier League.

International Career

Mateta has also made his mark on the international stage, representing France at various levels.

23. International Career: Mateta has represented France at various youth levels, including the under-19 and under-21 teams, and later featured in their Olympic team in Paris 2024.

24. Olympic Performance: In the 2024 Summer Olympics, Mateta finished as the third-highest scorer of the tournament, helping France win a silver medal.

Nationality and Heritage

Mateta's diverse background adds an interesting dimension to his identity.

25. Nationality: Mateta holds French nationality and has Congolese descent through his father.

Club Career Stats

Mateta's overall club career stats reflect his journey across different leagues and competitions.

26. Club Career Stats: As of the latest statistics, Mateta has played a total of 275 matches, scored 107 goals, and accumulated 11 assists throughout his career.

Premier League and Other Competitions

Mateta's performance in the Premier League and other competitions showcases his versatility and consistency.

27. Premier League Stats: In the Premier League specifically, Mateta has played 96 matches, scored 24 goals, and provided 6 assists.

28. League Cup Stats: In the League Cup, Mateta has played 5 matches, scored 5 goals, and provided 1 assist.

29. Bundesliga Stats: During his time in the Bundesliga with Mainz 05, Mateta played 34 matches, scored 14 goals, and provided 2 assists.

30. Ligue 2 Stats: In Ligue 2 with Le Havre, he played 37 matches and scored 19 goals.

31. Ligue 1 Stats: In Ligue 1 with Lyon, Mateta played 2 matches and scored 0 goals.

32. FA Cup Stats: In the FA Cup, Mateta has played 8 matches and scored 2 goals.

33. Olympics Stats: In the Olympics, he played 6 matches and scored 5 goals.

34. DFB Pokal Stats: In the DFB Pokal, Mateta played 4 matches and scored 3 goals.

35. UEFA Euro U21 Championship Stats: In the UEFA Euro U21 Championship, he played 4 matches and scored 1 goal.

36. Coupe de France Stats: In the Coupe de France, Mateta played 2 matches and scored 1 goal.

37. Premier League 2 Division One U23 Stats: In Premier League 2 Division One U23, he played 1 match and scored 2 goals.

38. Premier League 2 Division Two U23 Stats: In Premier League 2 Division Two U23, he played 1 match and scored 2 goals.

Comparisons with Other Strikers

Mateta's playing style often draws comparisons with other notable strikers.

39. Comparative Analysis: Mateta is often compared to other strikers such as Yussuf Poulsen, Rasmus Højlund, and Marcus Thuram due to his similar playing style and goal-scoring ability.

40. Future Prospects: As he continues to evolve and improve, Mateta remains an exciting prospect in the world of football.

Mateta's Impact on Football

Jean-Philippe Mateta has made a name for himself in the world of football. From his early days at LB Châteauroux to his current role at Crystal Palace, his journey is marked by impressive achievements. Standing tall at 192 cm, Mateta's physical presence and clinical finishing have been key to his success. His time at Mainz 05, where he became the club's most expensive signing, and his subsequent move to the Premier League, highlight his growing influence.

Mateta's stats speak volumes. With 26 goals in 97 appearances for Crystal Palace, including a memorable hat-trick against Plymouth Argyle, he's proven his worth. His contributions extend beyond scoring, with 6 assists and significant defensive efforts. Representing France at various youth levels and earning a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics further cements his legacy. Mateta's blend of skill, determination, and versatility makes him a standout player in modern football.