A number of Leeds United players are now playing for their countries, including one who scored a 4-0 victory for his country overnight, while playing in a new role as an attacking midfielder.
Many Leeds players are preparing for Euro 2024, with Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, and Max Wober all selected by their respective countries ahead of the event, which begins on Friday in Germany.
Others are in action in the Americas, with the Copa America and perhaps the 2026 World Cup qualifiers coming up. Brenden Aaronson is set to return to Elland Road, where he will face Brazil and the United States this week.
Another is left-back Junior Firpo, who has decided to represent the Dominican Republic at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. The former Barcelona player had a fantastic second half to the season.
Junior Firpo performs in his new role as Dominican Republic wins 4-0.
Firpo contributed eight assists after being one of the players that returned to the Leeds team in January, including Ilia Gruev, Willy Gnonto, and Patrick Bamford, after missing the most of the first half.
Firpo had a superb run of form, including an assist in the 4-0 play-off semi-final victory over Norwich. Firpo’s future at Leeds is now in doubt, since his contract at Elland Road expires in 2025.
But Firpo’s attention right now will be on representing the Dominican Republic, where he helped his team defeat the British Virgin Islands 4-0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier while also playing in a different role.
Firpo is employed as one of two no.10s in an offensive 3-4-2-1 formation.
The Dominican Republic lined up in an aggressive system throughout the night, similar to Antonio Conte’s style at Chelsea, in what was expected to be an easy victory over the Virgin Islands.
Firpo was deployed on the right of the two players behind the striker. Firpo did not score despite his country’s 26 attempts on goal, although he did provide a late assist for the fourth.
Rafa Nunez scored twice and Donny Romero added a penalty to give the Dominican Republic a 3-0 lead in the first half. In injury time, Firpo slipped in a right-footed pass for Romero to make it 4-0.
After losing to Jamaica in the first group game, Firpo’s country is third in a five-team group that includes Dominica and Guatemala. Firpo’s next event will be the Olympics in Paris this summer.
