One Leeds United star has reached out to Sunderland attacker Eliezer Mayenda following his brace vs Sheffield Wednesday.
Sunderland beat Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening, as Regis Le Bris’ side closed the gap on the top two, with eight points separating the Black Cats and Sheffield United.
It was far from a complete performance by Sunderland, with Jobe Bellingham struggling in the centre of the park, but Eliezer Mayenda was on form, bagging a brace to lead his side towards a 2-1 win.
Mayenda’s first goal was controversial after the ball struck his arm before steering it goalwards, via a favourable reflection, but the second showed brilliant quality from the Spaniard to head home after Trai Hume’s clever cross from deep.
After the clash, Sunderland’s in-form striker received a message from a promotion rival currently plying his trade with Leeds United.
Sunderland star Eliezer Mayenda receives message from Leeds United man Mateo Joseph
Mayenda’s brace away at Sheffield Wednesday marked the 19-year-old’s fifth and sixth goals of the 2024/25 Championship season, a remarkable figure considering his improvement from last season, as well as the fact that he has more often played from off the bench.
Shortly after the game, the Sunderland striker took to Instagram to post a message directed towards Black Cats fans, which read: “Thanks to all the supporters for their incredible support.”
Surprisingly, one man who left a comment to the post was promotion rival and Leeds United star Mateo Joseph. The fellow Spaniard left the comment ‘you are on fire brother’.
The Spanish pair are likely familiar with each other during their youth football days.
Eliezer Mayenda upwards trajectory has been mesmerising
Looking at the current Sunderland squad and how it compares to the lacklustre 2023/24 campaign, several players have improved, but none to the same extent as Mayenda.
The Spanish striker went from struggling for game time in the early knockings of the 2023/24 season to being handed a fairly unsuccessful loan spell at Hearts in Scotland, one where he was handed very little game time.
Because of the troubles he encountered last season in regards to form and lack of game time, no one would have envisaged Mayenda becoming such a crucial figure in the Sunderland squad. With 11 goal contributions in the league, the 19-year-old attacker has proven to be Championship quality, and it is no surprise to even see rival players praising the Black Cats goalscorer.