Matheus Franca bagged a hat-trick in Crystal Palace’s pre-season 5-1 win over Swindon on Saturday.
The Brazilian moved to the south London side in 2023 but struggled for game time due to injuries.
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Franca will have impressed new Palace boss Pierre Sage with a hat-trick against Swindon
Franca ultimately returned to Brazil with Vasco da Gama on loan but has since started 2026/27 preparations with the Eagles.
And the 22-year-old will have caught the eye of new boss Pierre Sage, who replaced Oliver Glasner as Eagles boss last month, with a hat-trick against the Robins.
Eddie Nketiah, meanwhile, bagged a brace in the comfortable pre-season success.
Summer signing Oscar Mingueza also started the victory over Ian Holloway’s side as Sage named a different XI for each half.
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On the game itself, Sage said: “I’m ok with the second-half, we did what we decided to do. We had problems with the ball and I think we have to work on this to be better.
“But at the moment the players are only able to play 15-20 minutes at the top level. It’s only the first week, so we need more sessions.
“We’ve only had five sessions together. And we won’t have just five anymore, so I think the next game will be better.
“We have possibilities to play together over the coming weeks. That’s a good thing for the team.
“During Como [later this month] we will play two games there with less sessions. That game will replace the training for this kind of competition.
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Crystal Palace signed Franca from Brazilian side Flamengo in 2023
“But we have a good condition. We have a group who want to work with us, I think they give their best every day.
“I think this is a good way to improve, both as players and as the team. I think we will continue like this.”
When is the Ballon d’Or clause in Franca’s contract?
Palace agreed to include a Ballon d’Or clause when they signed Franca from Flamengo in 2023.
The clause dictates that the Eagles will pay the Brazilian side an additional £4.3m should the young midfielder receive a Ballon d’Or nomination.
There is also an additional 20% sell-on clause in the deal for any fee that exceeds the £17m that Palace paid up front to secure his services.