Gjanni Alioski became a true cult hero at Leeds United, making a huge impact on the club from 2017 to 2021.
Known for his infectious energy and a personality that was as chaotic as it was captivating, he embodied the spirit of the team. He was also integral to their promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.
Alioski’s time at Elland Road was deeply personal for him, he told The Mirror: “I always tell people, Leeds United changed my life,” not just as a player, but as a person.
He credited much of his growth to Bielsa, stating, “he’s changed my whole outlook on life and improved me so much as a player. I feel I’ve improved every day working with a coach like him and I’m so grateful.”
Alioski’s legacy is one of pure passion and a deep connection with the fans with a few wild antics along the way.
- READ MORE: Leeds United now want to sign Willy Gnonto’s pal in £10m deal, Gjanni Alioski could help a transfer
Alioski’s “cry baby” gesture and the FA’s investigation
In a heated Premier League match in May 2021, an altercation between Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski and Burnley’s Dwight McNeil led to an FA investigation.
After a challenge, McNeil said something to Alioski, who responded by getting up and making a “cry baby” gesture with his hands and tongue.
A Burnley player interpreted the gesture as potentially discriminatory, leading to a formal complaint. The FA launched an investigation, gathering witness statements from players and officials.
Alioski defended his actions, claiming he was simply mocking an opponent who had called him a “cry baby,” a claim corroborated by another Burnley player’s admission.
Ultimately, the FA found insufficient evidence to charge Alioski with a discriminatory offence. They concluded the gesture could be viewed as a “childish schoolyard gesture” rather than a discriminatory act. Consequently, Alioski faced no further punishment.
Alioski reacted strongly after teammate Jansson kissed him
Following Leeds United’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday in March 2019, an unusual moment unfolded between teammates Ezgjan Alioski and Pontus Jansson.
As the players celebrated a hard-fought win, Jansson, in a moment of playful affection, planted a kiss on Alioski’s cheek. The gesture, intended as a sign of camaraderie, was not well-received by Alioski.
He immediately reacted with a look of disgust, wiping his cheek vigorously and pushing Jansson away with a mix of genuine annoyance and humorous disbelief. Jansson, seeing their teammate’s over-the-top reaction, simply laughed it off.
This bizarre but entertaining exchange was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, becoming an instant classic among Leeds fans.
The incident perfectly encapsulated the contrasting personalities of the two players: Jansson’s boisterous and expressive nature clashing with Alioski’s passionate and sometimes volatile reactions.
It became a lighthearted footnote in a season that saw Leeds narrowly miss out on promotion to the Premier League.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
