From Spain to England and, in a round about way, back again, 21-year-old Mateo Joseph is starting to make his mark in the game. From his early obsession with football to balancing family life across two cultures, the Leeds United forward opens up about his journey to Elland Road, switching England for Spain on the international scene, and how his passion for the game continues to drive him.
Despite the pressures that come with his growing profile, Mateo Joseph remains grounded, driven by the support of his family and a strong sense of identity. Born in Spain to an English father of Antiguan descent and a Spanish mother, his is a multicultural background, and that’s part and parcel of the man he is.
As he settles into life in Leeds and continues to make an impact in the Championship, he’s already thinking bigger – not just for Leeds but for Spain, where his footballing roots run deep (he holds dual citizenship, and despite playing for England at Under 20 level he’s recently made the switch to Spain’s Under 21s). Taking time to shoot him in some adidas SPZL pieces, Joseph gives us a glimpse into his life, from his footballing ambitions to his love for fashion, music, and PlayStation – showing that there’s much more to him than what we see on the pitch.
A broad question to start – how would you describe yourself as a person?
I’d say I’m a fun guy. I try to enjoy everything I do, whether it’s on or off the pitch. I love making jokes, being friendly, and creating a positive vibe with the people around me. But when it’s time to get serious, I switch that on immediately. I know when to focus, work hard, and do what needs to be done. So, I’d say I’m someone who loves life, but I know how to get down to business when it matters.
Growing up, what did football mean to you as a kid?
Football has always been everything to me – it hasn’t changed. I started playing when I was really young, and I’m lucky that my passion has turned into my job. Thanks to my family, I learned the importance of giving 100 percent to everything I do, whether it was playing in the park or training in any spare moment I had. It’s still that same love for the game that drives me, and I hope to keep enjoying it for as long as possible.
Can you paint a picture of what football looked like for you as a kid? Did you always have a ball at your feet?
Always. If I wasn’t at school (because you can’t kick a ball in a classroom, can you?) I was playing football. Anywhere, everywhere. Even if we were going to something serious as a family, I’d be there with my football under my arm. It was my constant companion, my obsession. I had this dream of playing for a big club one day, and now, being at Leeds, I know I’ve made that dream come true.
Was football something that was always important to your family too?
My dad loves sports, and we’d always watch football together at the weekends. It was a part of family life, but never in a way that felt like pressure. My parents always told me to enjoy it, and I think that attitude helped me keep my passion alive.
What’s your family dynamic like now? Are you all quite close?
Yeah, we’re a really tight family. Of course, everyone’s doing their own thing now, and it’s not always easy to see each other as often as we’d like. But we talk every day. My mum’s here in England with me, and she’s been such a big help settling in. Having that support makes a huge difference when you’re far from home.
How does it feel to make your family proud when they see you on the pitch?
Everything I do is for them and for me. Knowing they’re watching, seeing them proud—it means the world to me. I get to share my success with the people who’ve supported me from the start, and I’m so grateful for that.
You’ve got a mix of cultures in your family – Antiguan heritage from your dad and Spanish roots from your mum. How has that shaped you?
It’s shaped me in every way. My dad was born in England but has Caribbean roots, and my mum is from Spain, so I grew up surrounded by both cultures. They made sure I took the best of both worlds. I think everything – good and bad – that’s happened to me in life has made me who I am today, and I’m really grateful for it.
"Playing for Spain feels special – like I’m representing something deeply personal."
What was it like moving from the England Under-20 setup to playing for Spain’s Under-21 team?
It was a big decision, but in my heart, Spain is where I belong. I’m so grateful to England for the opportunities they gave me, but Spain is my home. It’s where I was born, where I grew up, and where my family and friends are. Playing for Spain feels special – like I’m representing something deeply personal. Every time I’m on the pitch, I dream big.
Is the vibe in the Spanish dressing room very different from the English one?
Yeah, there’s definitely a difference. In Spain, we’re very close – we do more together, whether it’s after training or back at the hotel. You can really feel the unity in the group. Even when there’s competition for places, like with Samu or Iker Bravo, we’re all supporting each other. That’s something I love about playing for Spain – it feels like home.
And speaking of home, do you feel settled in Leeds now?
I’m getting there. The weather is a bit of a shock compared to Spain! But Leeds has a friendly, familiar feel. It’s a good environment, and I’m starting to feel more at home here.
Elland Road is famous for its atmosphere. Were you prepared for the noise and passion?
I’d heard about it before coming here, but you can’t really understand it until you experience it. The fans here are incredible. Every time we play at home, I get excited because the energy in the stadium is unreal. It’s everything people told me it would be.
Do you think about creating a legacy at Leeds and becoming a player the fans really love?
That would be amazing. To become a player who’s remembered here would mean a lot to me. I just focus on working hard, staying patient, and doing my absolute best every time I step on the pitch. If I can help the team achieve our goals, maybe that will happen one day.
What are your thoughts on England compared to Spain—how do you find it?
Everything feels different here. Even though England and Spain aren’t that far apart, life is just… different. Both places have their good and bad, and I try to focus on the positives. It’s about enjoying what each place has to offer.
Having tasted the Premier League, does that make you hungry for more?
Definitely. The Premier League is the best league in the world, and everyone wants to play there. But for now, it’s about taking things game by game, working hard, and staying patient. We’re pushing to get back there, and that’s what we’re focused on.
You’ve got big ambitions for Spain too. How do you approach your dreams?
I always set my ambitions high. I want to achieve everything I can, but I know it takes hard work and sacrifice to get there. I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I want to be a player who stands out, who does the extra things to stay ahead of everyone else.
"To become a player who’s remembered at Leeds would mean a lot to me. I just focus on working hard and doing my absolute best every time I step on the pitch. If I can help the team achieve our goals, maybe that will happen one day."
Off the pitch, how do you spend your time? You’ve got a PlayStation controller there…
Yeah, I’m a PlayStation guy! It’s a big thing for me because I can stay connected with my friends back in Spain while playing. I also love fashion – I enjoy finding clothes that reflect my style and personality. I like to be different, to have my own look, and not just follow what everyone else is doing.
Are there any players or people you look up to as creative role models?
I’d say Jules Koundé is a big inspiration for me – he’s got such a strong personality, and you can see it in the way he dresses and carries himself. Paul Pogba too – he’s a real character, both on and off the pitch. I love seeing players who express themselves so confidently.
Would you like to explore more in fashion or creative spaces like that?
Yeah, for sure. It would be really interesting to get involved in something like that, especially with how much fashion and football are starting to crossover now. I’d love to explore those opportunities in the future.
How important is it to you to stay connected with friends who aren’t in football?
It’s really important. Football can sometimes feel like a world of its own, and it’s not always real life. Staying connected with friends who have different lives and perspectives keeps me grounded. They remind me of what’s important and help me see things in a different way.
You mentioned music earlier—how big of a role does that play in your life?
Music is huge for me. I grew up with it—my dad would play loud music every weekend, and my sister is actually a singer. Her name is Deva—D-E-V-A. I’m always listening to music, 24/7. My favorite artist right now is Myke Towers—I listen to every single one of his songs.
Do you get time to go to concerts, or is that something you’d like to do more of?
I’d love to go to more. During the season, it’s hard because I want to rest and focus on the games, but in summer, I definitely plan to catch up. I’d love to see Myke Towers live.
How has being at Leeds changed you as a person so far?
I think I’ve grown a lot. I’ve been through hard moments and great moments, and I’ve learned so much about myself. Being here has been a big step—living away from my country for the first time—but it’s shown me a lot and made me stronger.
I saw a celebration you posted on Instagram, and you could feel how much it meant. How excited are you for more moments like that?
As a striker, scoring goals is everything, and I’m a really passionate guy. I love football, and I love showing that joy on the pitch. I’m excited to keep creating more moments like that.
Mateo Joseph wears the adidas F50, which you can pick up at prodirectsport.com/soccer
