Leeds United star Junior Firpo has insisted that his teammates “never lost the confidence” in him to perform after he labelled his goal against Southampton as his “most important” to date. Firpo has been superb under Javi Gracia since the Spaniard’s arrival last month. His winning goal against the Saints has only been a part of what has been a fine run of form for the full-back. It has not always been plain-sailing for the defender at Elland Road, but the former Barcelona man has revealed that he never doubted himself when times were tough.
Junior Firpo said: “I’ve always been a player who has never lost confidence in myself. I’ve been playing in one of the top three, top five clubs in the world with real pressure. So that was difficult to manage the pressure and confidence, but here, I don’t lose my confidence because my teammates don’t lose their confidence in me. They are always backing me and never lost the confidence with me, never. After that, I am a player that always believes and trusts in me.”
Firpo was also asked just how good it felt to score the winning goal against Southampton, as he reflected on what he recognised as his “most important” goal to date.
Junior Firpo added: “The smile just came to my face when I remembered that the moment. I think it was a real important moment for me, for the team and for the club, the fans as well. When you are not playing at your best, I am most critical with myself. It’s good that after that goal you can listen to the whole crowd chanting your name, it makes me so proud. I scored a few nice goals in my career but this was the most important one because obviously it was a must win game and the team needed it.”