Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to make a dramatic return to action this weekend — and he’ll be doing so in a one-of-a-kind protective accessory that’s already turning heads.
After suffering a brutal injury in Palace’s FA Cup clash with Millwall on March 1 — where a dangerous kung-fu-style tackle by goalkeeper Liam Roberts left him needing 25 stitches to his ear — Mateta is back and ready to fire, now equipped with a custom FA-approved water polo-style protective headband.
From Kung-Fu Kick to Comeback
The horror incident left Mateta sidelined for several weeks, with Palace fans fearing the worst. But after trialling three different protective options — including a motorbike-style helmet that proved too heavy — the Frenchman has settled on a more unconventional option: a water polo-style helmet, covering just one side of his head.
“It looks a bit strange,” admitted manager Oliver Glasner, “but he says he feels comfortable, so let’s see. When he scores a header, then it was the right mask and the right protection.”
Training with a Twist
Mateta has been training with the new headgear during the international break, even featuring in a behind-closed-doors match. According to Glasner, the striker has returned to form and hasn’t missed a beat:
“If I believed it was a problem, I wouldn’t play him, but it looks like it isn’t. The last 10 days, he’s had this protection and he did well in training.”
Even Palace teammates have joined in on the fun. Defender Chris Richards joked that Mateta now looks like “a wrestler” and compared him to American tennis star Frances Tiafoe, thanks to his unique new look.
“He’s got that bionic ear now,” Richards laughed. “He enjoys the attention.”
Lucky to Avoid Fractures or Concussion
While the injury was clearly disturbing, Glasner confirmed that the damage was confined to Mateta’s ear — no fractures or concussions were sustained.
“It was a terrible injury. But some players are even saying the ear looks better than before!”
Mateta’s resilience and Palace’s determination to find the perfect protective gear highlight the grit and team spirit within the squad. The striker is expected to start in their FA Cup quarter-final clash against Fulham, marking a remarkable return from what could’ve been a season-ending injury.
From kung-fu kicks to comeback kings — Mateta’s return might just be one of the most inspiring stories of Palace’s season.
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