Mateta has revealed his dream of playing in the World Cup, which may well see him put off surgery until after the tournament.
He told Palace's website: “I'm very proud of myself. I'm very happy, and I think I deserve it, because I train very hard, with the gaffer [Oliver Glasner] as well and all the team. It's a dream come true, and I hope I will get called up again.
“It's my dream too, to go to the World Cup. I will do everything to go there. But first, you have to do a good job with Crystal Palace – every day, every game.
“I'm a very ambitious guy, and when I think about something, I try to do everything to make it come true.”
Mateta has also credited Oliver Glasner with his transformation, adding: “I think it's on him. He used to train in Germany, and when he came in, [in terms of] how we need to play I think I understood, because I'm from the German league too.
“I think it's because I play many games in the role. I think that's why people say I'm improving my hold-up play – because I know it very well now.
“I train hard every day, and I want to play every game and show him I'm ready for him, for the team, for the staff. I show them that I want to play every game.
“I think it's not only me personally, but we have a fantastic team that believes in everyone. We're just training very hard and believing in ourselves, and on the pitch we’ve had the results.
“I hope we will keep thinking the same and keep working hard.”