“Just wipe the blood off.” Mateta was ready to play after a horrific injury

In a recent FA Cup match against Millwall, Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was carried off on a stretcher following a collision with opposing goalkeeper Liam Roberts. However, the Frenchman, despite the nature of his injury, was in a fighting spirit.

Details: As the player recounted, after sustaining the injury, he did not realize its nature, believing it to be a minor cut. Mateta even argued with the doctors to let him play.

Quote: "When he kicked me, I was lying on the ground waiting for him to get a red card. I was ready to go. I thought: 'Just wipe the blood off and continue.' I argued with the doctor for 30 seconds, saying I wanted to play. The doctor saw the injury, but I didn't see it. I didn't feel pain. There was blood, of course. But I thought it was a small cut. My ear was like this [dangling]. But it didn't hurt," Mateta told Sky Sports News.

Reminder: In the end, the forward received 25 stitches on his torn left ear.