Ronaldo Vieira has gone from youth prospect to first-team regular for Leeds United in around one season, and is now receiving international honours.
Leeds’ Ronaldo Vieira has been selected for the Toulon Tournament
Following his inclusion in the England under-20 squad for the Toulon Tournament, Ronaldo Vieira has conceded that he never expected to make so many appearances for Leeds this past season and explained that former club-mate Lewis Cook reached out to him following his international call-up, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.
Vieira only made his first-team debut on the final day of the 2015/16 season, with Steve Evans handing him a chance in the draw with Preston North End, but he quickly established himself as a key man in Garry Monk’s side this term.
Much to his surprise, Vieira has been a key player for Leeds this season
He finished the campaign with 34 Championship appearances under his belt and won numerous plaudits along the way. While the praise he received may mean a lot to the midfielder, it is perhaps his inclusion in the national side’s squad for the upcoming tournament that may mean the most.
And ahead of the competition, the 18-year-old expressed his surprise at being given so many chances at Elland Road this term before adding how Cook – who left Leeds for Bournemouth last summer – got in contact following his call-up.
“I never expected to have a season like I have, I thought I’d maybe make a few appearances and mainly play Under-23 football, so it has been great and hopefully I’ll be able to carry on like this next season,” he said, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Vieira has made 34 league appearances this past season
“Playing for the national team is a new experience for me, but I have played in many tournaments that I have won at a younger age, so that is something I am used to now.
“When the squad got announced I had a call from Lewis Cook congratulating me and we had a good chat.
“Obviously he was at Leeds and was called up by England for the first time when he was here, so it was nice to speak to him and get that.”
Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook left Leeds last summer
While Vieira may be surprised with how much of an impact he has been able to make, few Leeds fans who have watched him closely will be surprised given how well he has adapted to senior football.
He has shone in some of the bigger games, and appears destined to play at the highest level, perhaps in the near future. And Leeds supporters will be hoping that it is with them that he fulfils that Premier League ambition rather than follows Cook’s lead and heads elsewhere.
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