The Wilfried Zaha and Jean-Philippe Mateta feud took a new twist on Thursday, when the former teammates unfollowed each other from their Instagram accounts – with Zaha posting a video online slamming a recent Mateta interview as “DISGUSTING”.
Zaha and Mateta Unfollow Each Other On Instagram As Feud Hots-Up
Having played together for two-and-a-half seasons at Crystal Palace, Eagles favourite Wilfried Zaha and French international Jean-Philippe Mateta became good friends.
However, with Zaha since leaving the south London side in 2023 for Galatasaray (and now Charlotte FC), their friendship has taken a turn for the worse in recent days.
Which has led to the pair UNFOLLOWING each other on Instagram.
Zaha-Mateta Feud Explained
So, what’s actually gone down?
This stems back to when the two players were at Palace together over two years ago.
Zaha was always one of the first names on the team-sheet – but when Mateta first joined the Eagles he struggled to hold down a starting position.
Scoring just six goals in the Premier League during his 18-month loan spell at Selhurst Park from Mainz 05.
But, despite his lack of playing time – Mateta still told his Palace teammates that he had a chance of playing for France.
To which Zaha and around ten other Palace players laughing it off as just joking around.
This was based on the fact he wasn’t even starting for his club and there were also many other big names ahead of him in the France pecking order – like Karim Benzema.
Therefore, suggesting a call-up to play for the 2018 World Cup winners, would be farfetched at that stage of his career.
Mateta Wins First International Caps For France
However, over the last year, Mateta’s form has improved – scoring 14 league goals last season and has netted four more in their opening 12 games this season.
Which has also seen Mateta feature in this season’s early FPL big chances list, with the likes of Erling Haaland.
This has led to France manager Didier Deschamps calling up Mateta to Les Bleus – giving him his debut in their 3-0 win over Azerbaijan and adding a second cap in a 2-2 draw against Finland on the 13th October – where the striker fired in his first goal.
Which seemed to jog Mateta’s memory about his former Palace teammates laughing at him ever playing for France.
Leading to him making a comment about it in a recent interview – but singled out Wilfried Zaha as the main culprit.
Which, in turn, ushered a response from Zaha (watch below) – denying any bullying claims.
Zaha (32), who now plays for Charlotte FC in the MLS, posted a ranting video (watch below) about comments Mateta (28) made in a recent interview surrounding the BIG French striker playing for his country.
Former Crystal Palace teammates Wilfried Zaha and Jean-Philippe Mateta having beef wasn't on my bingo card for this international break. 😳😂
pic.twitter.com/CUksXDYziY— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 16, 2025
Zaha Said To Be “Disgusted” With Recent Mateta Comments
With the Ivory Coast international saying he was “disgusted” about the comments and that he never made anyone feel life “S***”.
Zaha went into say that ten Palace players had had his conversation with Mateta about not playing for France – but at the time was just “joking around” as he wasn’t even playing regularly for the Eagles at that stage.
But pointing out his annoyance at being singled out by Mateta – when ten people were involved in the conversation.
Saying he’s getting messages like “You’re not laughing now”.
Zaha went onto say he didn’t understand why he’d been pinpointed – maybe, he said – it was because “Zaha was the biggest name”.
But said he also sent Mateta a message to congratulate him on his recent France call-up.
Ending by saying “this is why I don’t have football friends”.
The Mateta-Zaha feud is set to continue – but having unfollowed each other from their Instagram accounts – they might have to find other ways to get any future messages delivered.
Both Mateta and Zaha could be in action on Saturday 18th October – with Palace vs Bournemouth in the league and Charlotte FC entertaining Philadelphia.
