Junior Firpo’s involvement with The Dominican Republic during the international break actually came as a blessing in disguise for Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
A few days prior to Firpo jetting off to represent his country, Firpo picked up a ban after Millwall. A three-match suspension for headbutting Millwall defender Danny McNamara in the 1-0 loss in London.
It saw Firpo banned for the win over QPR prior to the break, and then the 4-3 win over Swansea. In his place came Sam Byram, who laid on an assist against the Welsh side for Leeds‘ third goal in the late win.
Firpo remains sidelined for Wednesday night’s home clash against Luton Town. But in the mean time, Firpo has stayed fit and sharp by playing for his country, securing two consecutive 6-1 wins in the break.
Dominican Republic manager heaps praise on Leeds star Firpo
He got two assists in the latter of the two 6-1 wins, Firpo helping The Dominican Republic qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. A lower level than Leeds, but still playing games.
It means when Leeds take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday, Firpo will be available again and there is no doubt he comes back in. Marcelo Neveleff told Diario Libre he’s delighted with Firpo.
“Very important. [Firpo is] competing at a very high level. Junior Firpo is very commendable, he’s a very honest guy, in his effort, leadership, adaptation to what the national team is, to the trips to the Caribbean.
“To Central America, which many times isn’t easy for players of that category, because they are in their leagues, when they come here they have to travel nine and 10 hours to go back, train with their teams.
“What Junior has done… we have to take our hats off. Those who come from Europe because the reality is they feel very much for the country and are happy to come, make that trip, they like to be in the group.”
Junior Firpo one of the best attacking defenders in Championship
This season, Firpo is one of the first names on the team sheet. Something Leeds fans might not have believed a couple of years ago, with the former Barcelona man struggling at Elland Road to start with.
| Name | Club | Games | Goals | Assists | G+A |
| Callum Doyle | Norwich | 16 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Junior Firpo | Leeds | 13 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Yasser Larouci | Watford | 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Mattie Pollock | Watford | 16 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Gregory Leigh | Oxford | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
The second-highest in terms of goal involvements in the Championship this season and only behind Norwich’s defender Callum Doyle, who has played three more matches than Firpo during 2024-25.
If Leeds are going to get themselves promoted – with the Whites a point ahead of where they were after 16 games last season, and two places better off – then Firpo is going to be absolutely fundamental.
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