Barcelona duo react as Leeds United youngster plays key role in country sealing Euros qualification

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It has been a successful international break for many at Leeds United over the last week-and-a-half.

Daniel Farke will be relieved that only Max Wober appears to be reporting back to Thorp Arch with an injury, with the Galatasaray-linked defender complaining of a knee issue.

But in terms of on-field results and performances, plenty of Farke‘s squad should be returning full of confidence after what they achieved on the international stage.

Junior Firpo, Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Joseph and Ao Tanaka all picked up two wins from their two matches, while Ilia Gruev and the Welsh contingent also went unbeaten.

Hopefully they can all continue the momentum they picked up with their respective countries into Saturday’s match against Burnley at Elland Road.

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Fermin Lopez and Pablo Torre praise Leeds star Mateo Joseph

It was a particularly productive break for Gnonto and Joseph as they both helped seal Italy and Spain’s progression to the U21s European Championships next summer.

Gnonto started both matches and registered an assist in the young Azzurri’s crucial 3-0 win over Norway on Tuesday, staking further claims for a central role at Leeds.

Joseph, meanwhile, was actually brought off the bench in both of Spain’s matches, but still managed played a vital role in Spain’s qualification.

After scoring a late winner from the bench against Belgium back in March, Joseph did the exact same in Spain’s victory at Scotland on Friday, with those closely fought six points almost single-handedly taking Spain through.

Joseph did not manage to get on the scoresheet against Hungary on Tuesday evening but has since posted on Instagram about what this achievement means to him.

He wrote: “Goal accomplished! Heading to the European sub 21s 2025. Always an honour to defend these colours and be part of this team!”

Barcelona duo Fermin Lopez and Pablo Torre – both of whom are teammates of Joseph for Spain U21s – are among those to have praised the Leeds youngster in response to his post.

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Spain eyeing Leeds’ Joseph to spearhead World Cup 2026

While Joseph will understandably be delighted at getting the chance to represent Spain U21s at an international tournament next summer, his eyes will be on the bigger picture.

With Alvaro Morata having claimed Euro 2024 could be his last major tournament for Spain, a place in the senior side’s attack at World Cup 2026 could well be open.

And according to reports from Spain, Joseph has impressed manager Luis De La Fuente so much, he is seen as first choice in a list of three young strikers that the Spain manager is considering.

With that in mind, you would imagine Leeds simply have to get promoted this season to stand any chance of keeping him next summer.