Former England U20 international Mateo Joseph has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. The 20-year-old No.9 has cemented his place at the helm of Daniel Farke’s squad.
Following his extraordinary performances, the youngster has received a call-up for Spain’s U21 squad. The Spanish U21s face Kazakhstan and Malta this month in the 2025 UEFA Euro U21 qualifiers.
Joseph has started every league game for Leeds United this season. The Spaniard also has a 31% goal contribution to his name in eight appearances.
Mateo has scored one goal till now and has provided a total of three assists this season. He started his goal contributions against Sheffield Wednesday this season where he assisted both the goals in a 2-0 away win.
The striker’s form continued in the next game where he scored his first goal of the season in a 2-0 win at home against Hull City. He assisted another against Cardiff City where Leeds United won 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Previously an England U20 international, Mateo Joseph decided to switch sides at the U21 level. The No.9 is eligible to represent Antigua, Britain and Spain.
He has already featured four times for the Spanish U21 side in 2024. Mateo proved to be a detrimental figure in the locker room scoring crucial goals against Belgium and Scotland in March and September respectively.
Mateo Joseph enters the international break with high expectations
Mateo Jospeh for Leeds United against Coventry City
Spain’s U21 side face two critical fixtures this international break. These are the qualifiers for the UEFA Euro U21 Championship.
Following a flying start to the season, Mateo Joseph is expected to continue this form with the national team. Performing in crucial fixtures like the qualifiers will prove to be detrimental to the striker’s career.
Although Spain has already qualified for the 2025 U21 Euros, the last two matches will be crucial to determine the regulars for the tournament.
The Spanish U21 side is unbeaten with a total of eight games played. La Rojita have won seven of those matches drawing only once against Belgium U21 last year.
Mateo Joseph will also hold the pressure of returning unscathed from the international break. Following an injury crisis at Elland Road, another injury might further deepen woes in West Yorkshire.
Ilian Gruev, Daniel James, Ethan Ampadu and Maximilian Wöber have already fallen prey to the crisis. The likes of Ao Tanaka, Brenden Aaronson and Mateo Joseph will have to play cautiously this international break.
La Furia Roja host Kazakhstan U21 on 10th October in Cádiz. This match-up will be followed by another home game in Algeciras against Malta U21.
