Crystal Palace fans celebrated the return of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was back in action wearing protective headgear after a horrific injury. Mateta sustained the injury earlier this month when he collided with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. The impact left his ear severely lacerated, requiring 25 stitches.
The incident occurred during a fifth-round FA Cup clash. Mateta's return to the field, despite the gruesome injury, is a testament to his resilience. The protective headgear is a precaution, ensuring further injury while he recovers.
Mateta's injury was described as "destroyed" by the player himself. In an interview, he recounted the incident, emphasizing his initial desire to continue playing despite the severity of the damage. He was quoted as saying that he was lucky to not have suffered a much worse head injury.
His manager, Oliver Glasner, expressed his confidence in Mateta's readiness, stating that the player looked the same in training. Glasner also mentioned that the protective gear was approved by the Premier League and that he wouldn't play Mateta if he believed there was a risk.
The return of the team's top scorer, who has scored 15 goals in all competitions, will surely boost Palace's offensive capabilities. Mateta's determination to return to the field so soon after such a serious injury is a sign of his dedication to the game and his team.