Mateta Thanks Milan for Failed Medical: ‘More Serious than I Had Been Told’ by Crystal Palace

FolioPitch.com – 16 August 2026 | Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has expressed gratitude towards AC Milan for the thorough medical examination that ultimately led to the collapse of his transfer deal in January. The 27-year-old French international had agreed to join the Rossoneri in a €35m deal, but the medical examination revealed that his knee injury was more serious than initially assessed by Crystal Palace.

Mateta, who had ruptured the meniscus in his right knee during his time with Mainz in 2019, underwent surgery that kept him out of action for six months. The injury had not fully healed, and Milan doctors felt that it required another operation. However, Crystal Palace assured that therapy and load management would suffice.

The striker had initially seemed upset and disappointed by the news, but in hindsight, he considers it a crucial turning point in his career. Mateta believes that the thorough medical examination at Milan saved him from prolonging the injury, which could have had severe consequences.

Mateta has since expressed his gratitude towards the Italian club doctors, saying, ‘Luckily, they found out exactly what was wrong.’ He added, ‘Ultimately I don’t regret anything, because if I hadn’t done that medical exam, how long would I have been dragging this knee issue along? How long?’

Mateta’s comments come as a surprise, given that his transfer deal was initially expected to go through. However, the collapse of the deal was met with skepticism by some, including Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who said, ‘Of course, if you’re playing for two and a half months with a swollen knee and you have to be managed, we knew and he knew that there is an issue in his knee.’

Mateta’s injury has not held him back, and he has since recovered enough to participate in the World Cup with France. His comments serve as a reminder of the importance of thorough medical examinations in football, and the potential consequences of neglecting them.