Speaking exclusively to Football Presse, the former Manchester United, Fulham and France striker backed his compatriot to secure another major opportunity after Mateta turned disappointment into motivation and forced his way into Didier Deschamps’ plans.
Mateta looked set to leave Crystal Palace for AC Milan during the January transfer window, with the clubs reaching an agreement before the move eventually collapsed after further medical checks. The striker remained at Selhurst Park and continued his development, eventually earning his place in France’s World Cup squad.
For Saha, that resilience says everything about the character of the 28-year-old forward.
“I think so,” Saha told Football Presse when asked if he felt sympathy for Mateta after missing out on Milan. “It is a difficult one, but football is always full of opportunities if you keep working hard.”
Mateta’s journey has been far from straightforward. After spells with Châteauroux, Lyon, Le Havre, Mainz and Crystal Palace, the striker gradually established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective physical forwards.
Saha believes that patience and determination have been rewarded.
“He is a terrific lad who you can see loves football,” Saha said. “He has a passion to be up there, scoring goals and helping his team in the best way possible.”
The former France international believes Mateta’s attitude is exactly what allows players to overcome setbacks.
“I respect that,” Saha added. “I really wish him the best. And I think that if it’s not Milan, it’s going to be another big club.”
That prediction has already gained weight after Mateta’s rise onto the international stage. The Crystal Palace striker was selected by France for the 2026 World Cup and has become part of a remarkable attacking group alongside some of the biggest names in world football.
For Saha, Mateta’s inclusion shows that France’s strength is not only built around established superstars.
“There is so much talent coming through,” Saha said when discussing the French national team.
The former striker believes Mateta’s qualities offer something different to France’s other attacking options.
“He loves football,” Saha told Football Presse on behalf of Freebets.com, the home of the best betting sites. “He wants to improve. He wants to score goals and help his team.”
Mateta’s development has also coincided with a new chapter at Crystal Palace, with Pierre Sage taking charge after replacing Oliver Glasner. Sage arrives after impressive work in France and is expected to continue Palace’s progress while competing in Europe.
Saha believes Palace’s evolution can provide another platform for Mateta.
“He has faced challenges,” Saha said. “But he has stayed focused.”
The arrival of Sage also creates an intriguing period for Palace, who must balance keeping their best players while continuing to grow as a club. Mateta’s future will naturally remain a talking point, particularly after a missed opportunity to join one of Europe’s traditional giants. However, Saha believes the striker should not view Milan as the end of a dream — only a delay.
“Football is always full of opportunities,” he repeated.
For a player who has fought his way from the margins of French football to the World Cup stage, Saha believes Mateta has already proved he belongs among the elite.
“He is a player who loves the game,” Saha said. “And if it is not Milan, it will be another big club.”
The message from one French striker to another is clear: keep working, keep scoring, and the biggest moves will come.