Will USL's decision to add Pro-Rel change American soccer?

EXCLUSIVE: Rapinoe has spent a life committed to changing world

10 years of NXGN: Tracking progress of American wonderkids

From Mutiny to Miami, all 32 franchises in MLS history - ranked

Best players, coaches, teams of the 21st century - ranked

Editors' Picks

Messi's bodyguard banned by MLS! Why Cheuko can’t help

Simeone accuses UEFA of 'deciding' UCL loss to Real

'Greenwood isn't coming back' - De Zerbi's management slammed

'Kane doesn't play' - Tuchel backed to drop England captain 

Flick warns Yamal he must 'take responsibility' over his body

Man Utd set Antony price tag & plan to offload 10-players

Wrexham get ‘daunting’ warning as Rob & Ryan look to make history

Aguero agrees to make one-off return for former club

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Mateta suffered horror head injury</li><li>Returns with special headgear</li><li>Fans revel in eye-catching appearance</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Looking like Cyborg from Justice League!' - Jean-Philippe Mateta dons special headgear on return from sickening head injury in Crystal Palace's trip to Fulham

Premier League

Southampton

Crystal Palace

Fulham

Liverpool

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jean-philippe-mateta-rushed-hospital-shockingly-kicked-face-fa-cup-millwall-michael-oliver-miss/bltf167423f97f391fe#csc0ad91c8e12daf8a" target="_blank">Mateta was rushed to hospital</a> after being accidentally kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the last-16 of the FA Cup. After having<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jean-philippe-mateta-update-25-stitches-horrific-tackle-millwall-liam-roberts-crystal-palace-striker-ear-almost-half/bltbc0076cb8f0fc3c9" target="_blank"> 25 stitches on his ear</a>, the Frenchman was back in the starting lineup for their quarter-final clash at Fulham on Saturday - prompting a big reaction on social media due to his head protection.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p><a href="https://x.com/brentmannerss/status/1905956453170430332" target="_blank">@brentmannerss</a> posted on X: "JP Mateta out here looking like Cyborg from Justice League…stinks of a hat-trick for the boy #boomboomboom."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/DANTC46/status/1905956283338891553" target="_blank">@DANTC46</a> tweeted: "What is Mateta wearing, looks like he is playing Call of Duty. These players are too pampered nowadays #mateta."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/kav_paul/status/1905953530990514628" target="_blank">@kav_paul</a> commented: "Looking at Mateta's ear protection, I do hope he can hear okay through that ear! #CPFC."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/MattyT_631/status/1905957139299852552" target="_blank">@MattyT_631</a> put: "Mateta is a G for playing," though <a href="https://x.com/DannyMa42210645/status/1905970075342962891" target="_blank">@DannyMa42210645</a> criticised: "Mateta seems to be a bit cautious, not really getting involved at all."</p>

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

<p>Palace star Mateta, who has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-jean-philippe-mateta-price-crystal-palace-half-price-red-devils-sporting-cp-striker-viktor-gyokeres/blt6e39bd0e9f06c761" target="_blank">linked with a Manchester United move</a>, feared he would suffer a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/my-ear-was-destroyed-crystal-palace-star-jean-philippe-mateta-admits-feared-brain-bleed-horror-challenge-millwall-s-liam-roberts/blt369fcd2480393694" target="_blank">bleed on the brain</a> as a result of the challenge but less than a month later, he is back playing for his club. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Mateta will hope to return to Premier League action when Palace travel to relegation-threatened Southampton on Wednesday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Looking like Cyborg from Justice League!' - Jean-Philippe Mateta dons special headgear on return from sickening head injury in Crystal Palace's trip to Fulham | Goal.com US

Crystal Palace&apos;s Jean-Philippe Mateta drew comparisons with Justice League&apos;s Cyborg after donning special headgear on his return from a head injury.

&apos;Looking like Cyborg from Justice League!&apos; - Jean-Philippe Mateta dons special headgear on return from sickening head injury in Crystal Palace&apos;s trip to Fulham

Next matches