Junior Firpo hails Ilia Gruev as MOTM after 17-word Instagram post following Nottingham Forest win

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·7 February 2026

Junior Firpo hails Ilia Gruev as MOTM after 17-word Instagram post following Nottingham Forest win

Junior Firpo publicly praised Ilia Gruev after Leeds United’s Friday night win over Nottingham Forest, responding to the midfielder’s 17-word Instagram message.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, eyebrows were raised when the defensive midfielder made his 11th Premier League start, with more attacking options benched or omitted. Gruev then provided two assists, creating for Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

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After full-time, and amid strong praise from Daniel Farke, Gruev posted a 17-word message celebrating a perfect Friday under the lights and the Elland Road atmosphere.

Firpo, who left Leeds last summer, replied on Instagram to Gruev’s post and simply labelled him man of the match.

Calvert-Lewin also responded on social media, calling the Bulgarian a maestro.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk