Mateo Joseph’s bold decision to force an exit from Leeds United is beginning to pay off, with the striker earning praise in Spain after a match-winning performance for RCD Mallorca at the weekend.
The 22-year-old endured a difficult start to life on loan, failing to score in his first seven appearances. But on Saturday, he came off the bench in the 62nd minute against Sevilla and completely changed the game — scoring in the 72nd and 77th minutes to turn a 1–0 deficit into a 3–1 victory for Mallorca.
Local outlet Última Hora described the display as “five minutes of glory”, celebrating Joseph’s determination and perseverance after a rocky start to his spell away from Elland Road.
Mallorca’s faith pays off
Joseph joined Mallorca in August after going on strike at Leeds United to secure a move away from the Premier League side. Real Betis had also shown interest, but Mallorca won the race for his signature — initially on loan.
The Spanish forward has featured eight times so far, including four starts, and while goals were initially hard to come by, manager Jagoba Arrasate remained convinced of his potential.
“Arrasate was key in his arrival and remains confident he’ll eventually explode,” writes *Última Hora*.
The double against Sevilla may now mark the beginning of that breakthrough.
From Leeds frustration to La Liga breakthrough
Joseph’s summer move came after months of tension at Leeds. The striker, frustrated with limited opportunities and eager for top-flight football, reportedly refused to train to push through his departure.
His dedication to securing the right move appears to have paid off, with his performances beginning to match the faith Mallorca showed in him.
Over the past two seasons, the English-born forward scored seven goals in 76 games for Leeds, often featuring in a supporting role. His brace for Mallorca has already matched his total goal contributions (2G, 2A) from his entire previous campaign at Elland Road.
| Mateo Joseph 2025/26 (RCD Mallorca) | All Competitions |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 8 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Minutes per goal | 153 |
source: Transfermarkt – 21 October 2025
Our View: Patience pays off for Joseph
In our view, Joseph’s story is a reminder that persistence can pay off — even when the path gets rocky. His decision to push for a move was risky, but now that he’s earning minutes and confidence under Arrasate, the results are starting to show.
Mallorca’s supporters and Spanish media are beginning to believe the 22-year-old could become a genuine attacking threat this season, especially if he builds on the confidence of that quickfire double.
FootballPlace analyst John William comments:
“Joseph’s brace is exactly what he needed. It wasn’t just about the goals — it was about the energy, movement, and intent he showed. That’s the version of him Mallorca hoped for when they brought him in.”
Key Insights
- Mateo Joseph scored twice in five minutes to lead Mallorca’s 3–1 win over Sevilla
- Leeds United loanee has 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 matches
- Went on strike to force move from Leeds during summer window
- Mallorca boss Jagoba Arrasate confident the striker will “eventually explode”
- Spanish media label his performance “five minutes of glory”
What’s Next
Joseph will look to maintain his scoring form when Mallorca face Levante next weekend. With growing trust from Arrasate and a supportive home crowd, this could be the moment the Leeds loanee finally establishes himself in La Liga.
👉 Could Mateo Joseph’s breakout in Spain revive his long-term prospects at Leeds United?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 21 Oct 2025 11:48
He should have stayed - he would have got time to play.
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