A number of Leeds United players are on international duty, meaning they are facing off against superstars from all around the world.
The former Leeds United player with the most global recognition right now is Raphinha, with the Barcelona and Brazil star an absolute icon after a stellar season in La Liga last term.
Leeds will have players who face him at the World Cup next summer, where other Barcelona teammates will also be present and chasing glory on the biggest stage.
Two of the early tournament favourites are Spain and Brazil, and Lamine Yamal will star for the Spanish once again, despite being a teenager. He played against Bulgaria and Ilia Gruev last night, too.
FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal
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Ilia Gruev explains what it’s like to play Lamine Yamal
As shown by Yamal_Xtra on Twitter/X, Yamal and Gruev had to be restrained following an incident during the 3-0 home defeat for the Bulgarians.
Gruev then spoke post-match regarding the incident with the 18-year-old winger. He also explained what it’s like to face Raphinha’s wing partner at Barcelona.
“They scored a very stupid first goal. We should have defended better. Unfortunately, the match ended very early, but this is one of the best teams in the world,” Gruev said to Sportal.bg.
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“We did not react well after the goals. We must continue to fight. We have a very difficult and important match ahead of us against Georgia. I do not think it is a tragedy to lose 0:3 to Spain. We have better chances than against Spain.
“Today we saw the class of Yamal. The whole world has problems defending against them. There is nothing to worry about.”
Not only were Bulgaria beaten, but comprehensively so. Per FotMob, they had three shots totaling 0.1xG, compared to Spain with 24 shots and 3.51xG. Yamal and co. taught Gruev’s side a lesson.
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Daniel Farke defends Ilia Gruev decision with Leeds
Farke has defended Gruev for Leeds previously. However, the midfielder has started the last two fixtures and he spoke around the Newcastle draw about that lately.
Via The Yorkshire Post, Farke said: “Ilia Gruev is one of the key members of our squad. He has never disappointed us since we signed him.
“He is not the spotlight signing but he’s a key player for all of us in the first season but also last season.
“He’s never that much in the spotlight but for the team he’s an unbelievably important player. This has never changed since I started planning for the Premier League.
“He has proven this in pre-season. It was one of the toughest decisions to leave him out of the starting line-up on the first gameday because he would have deserved to be in the line-up.
“If you look at the pre-season games, there was not one game when he has not delivered. He did not put a foot wrong and was always available, he always had a good workload.”