França: Helping my teammates is the best feeling
Matheus França is hoping to ‘stay in the squad… and keep working hard’ after scoring his first goal for Crystal Palace in Thursday’s mid-season friendly win over HamKam in Marbella.
The 20-year-old winger recently made his return to competitive action for Palace as a substitute in the FA Cup, following an 11-month absence with injury.
And with França enjoying his longest outing for the senior side since his first season in English football, the Brazilian took full advantage of a ricochet inside the HamKam box, slamming a first-time volley into the top corner of the goal with glee.
“Thanks so much,” França told Palace TV, after being congratulated on the goal. “It was a good game. I’m really happy to score the goal and get the victory.
“I feel very sharp. I'm very good. I worked so hard to get my fitness back again, and I'm really happy. Let's keep going and working hard.
“It was a great goal! I just need to dedicate this goal for my girlfriend and my kids.”
As for his hopes for the rest of this season, França explained: “I feel really happy. I’ve liked [staying] with my team-mates. I like playing.
“I need to show my football. [I want to] keep improving and working hard to get my fitness, and help this team as much as I can.
“[My goal is] just to stay in the squad, not get injured again, and keep working hard. If I can score more goals and help my team-mates, it's the best thing.”