Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta drew comparisons with Justice League's Cyborg after donning special headgear on his return from a head injury.
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Mateta suffered horror head injuryReturns with special headgearFans revel in eye-catching appearanceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Mateta was rushed to hospital after being accidentally kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the last-16 of the FA Cup. After having 25 stitches on his ear, 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.
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@brentmannerss posted on X: "JP Mateta out here looking like Cyborg from Justice League…stinks of a hat-trick for the boy #boomboomboom."
@DANTC46 tweeted: "What is Mateta wearing, looks like he is playing Call of Duty. These players are too pampered nowadays #mateta."
@kav_paul commented: "Looking at Mateta's ear protection, I do hope he can hear okay through that ear! #CPFC."
@MattyT_631 put: "Mateta is a G for playing," though @DannyMa42210645 criticised: "Mateta seems to be a bit cautious, not really getting involved at all."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Palace star Mateta, who has been linked with a Manchester United move, feared he would suffer a bleed on the brain as a result of the challenge but less than a month later, he is back playing for his club.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Mateta will hope to return to Premier League action when Palace travel to relegation-threatened Southampton on Wednesday.