Leeds fans hail Joel Piroe as the ‘GOAT’ after behind-the-scenes move
Joel Piroe has emerged as Leeds United’s first-choice striker this season, and that’s had an effect on a decision he made over the international break.
Piroe is Leeds’ top scorer in the Championship this season with 15 goals in his 29 starts, and trails only Norwich City winger Borja Sainz in the entire division’s scoring charts with just eight games remaining.
That leaves Daniel Farke‘s side just eight games away from a Premier League return, sitting top of the pile on goal difference ahead of Sheffield United, and having the best goal difference in English football.
Having quickly displaced early-season favourite Mateo Joseph up front for the Whites, Piroe is well within a chance of sealing the Championship Golden Boot as Leeds look to press home their advantage.
Joel Piroe snubs international call-up to focus on Leeds run-in
Piroe was one of several first-choice players to stay put at Thorp Arch over the international break, joining the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Pascal Struijk in the last stretch without wall-to-wall matches.
In an interview with ESPN.NL (25 March), however, Piroe revealed that he could have joined his globe-trotting team-mates on the international stage, having received a call-up from the Suriname FA.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Joel Piroe | 38 | 28 | 15 | 6 |
| Patrick Bamford | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mateo Joseph | 36 | 14 | 3 | 3 |
The 25-year-old is eligible for both the Netherlands – the nation of his birth – and is of Surinamese descent, but told the latter that his full focus is on ensuring Leeds seal their return to the top-flight.
Piroe said: “It is of course always an honour that they invited me, but I also told them that given the toughness of the competition at the moment, I want to take my rest during international periods.
“For now, it is difficult to travel all the way to Suriname and play my matches there. I want to focus fully on club football now. At the moment, I am only thinking about the title.”
Leeds United fans ‘love the attitude’ after Joel Piroe decision
Piroe choosing to maintain his focus on Leeds’ final push towards promotion, rather than his international debut, has understandably been met with overwhelming support from the entire Elland Road faithful.
After Wilfried Gnonto picked up an injury on duty for Italy’s Under-21s – in a friendly no less – fans are fearful that Farke’s already thin squd could be left threadbare in the aftermath of the international break.
While Gnonto will be assessed upon his return to Thorp Arch – likewise Dan James after his exploits with Wales – Piroe will be fit, firing, and ready to finish the job as Farke side close in on the Premier League.
Class from Piroe here👏👏 https://t.co/m3ME9u7ZBi
— B•N (@BaileyNeillll) March 25, 2025
Love the attitude only got on thing on his mind 🐐 💙💛💙
— EliteOnSticksYT (@ELITEONSTICKSYT) March 25, 2025
goat
— Q (@LeedsssUnited) March 25, 2025
Good for him.
— Leo Bellak (@bellak_leo) March 25, 2025
Good on him!
— Lee Thompson (@lufcThommo) March 25, 2025
Fair play to him he could off easily off gone but showing why he wants to keep fighting for promotion
— Reece mumby (@reece_mumby) March 25, 2025
Shame Gnonto didn’t do the same.
— Jonesy (@DanielJ46083413) March 25, 2025