Leeds United star excited for 'something bigger' despite World Cup exit
Defeat against France signalled the end for Leeds United and Sweden defender Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson is disappointed to see his World Cup campaign over but can return home for ‘something even bigger’.
Gudmundsson’s Sweden were knocked out of the World Cup on Tuesday following their 3-0 round-of-32 defeat to France. The Leeds man played on the left of a back three and defended well against the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Just hours before kick-off in New Jersey, Gudmundsson’s wife announced the birth of their son, Charlie. It means that despite leaving the World Cup, the Leeds man can return home to start an exciting new chapter.
“Yes, of course it is [mixed feelings],” he told Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter. “I, like my family back home, had hoped for more, that we would continue this fantastic journey.
“But the positive thing is that I can let this go pretty quickly now. It's a dream for me to be here, and at the same time something even bigger has happened in my private life back home.
“I just want to give a big shout out to the wife back home who has been through this herself. Of course I can't wait to get home to her now.”
Gabriel Gudmundsson reflects on Sweden defeat
Gudmundsson’s move into a back three on Tuesday was interesting, given it came hours after Leeds confirmed the £20million sale of Pascal Struijk to Brighton. The Swede is now Daniel Farke’s only left-footed defender and coped relatively well in the role.
None of France’s three goals came down the Sweden left, with Dembele and Doue kept mostly quiet. They were not the only danger, however, with head coach Didier Deschamps also able to lean on the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise.
“France showed today why they are the best in the world and what quality they have,” Gudmundsson added. “We knew it would be a tough task, but I think we can be proud too.
“It has been a tough road to get here. Now we have gathered a lot of experience and I just believe that this will be even better in the future.”