Jean-Philippe Mateta’s story with the France national team is one of patience and reward. At 28, the Crystal Palace striker has finally received his first call-up from Didier Deschamps, a moment he describes as “magnifique” and “indescribable”. 

Speaking to RMC Sport, the forward couldn’t hide his excitement upon arriving at Clairefontaine, the iconic home of French football, where he will train with Les Bleus for the first time.

“I already knew Clairefontaine, but coming here with the senior team is a dream,” Mateta said, visibly emotional. “You always hope for that first call-up. If it’s not today, it’s tomorrow. And when it happens, it’s pure joy.”

Mateta’s path to the top has been far from ordinary. Despite a prolific spell in England, he only gained wider recognition in France during last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, where he played under Thierry Henry. 

His 30 Premier League goals over the past two seasons, combined with his strong physical presence, finally caught the national manager’s eye. Still, the striker admits he didn’t expect the call-up to come now. “I found out by watching TV. I didn’t expect it. But even at 28, it’s a huge joy.”

Standing at 1.93m,...