AliousLeeds Midfielder Opens Up About Teammates’ Unusual Nickname and Off-Field Passions
Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev has revealed the quirky nickname his teammates have given him, offering fans a glimpse into his personality off the pitch.
Now in his third season with Leeds, Gruev joined the club under Daniel Farke during their Championship campaign and played a key role in securing promotion back to the Premier League last season.
He made 23 appearances in the Championship, contributing two assists along the way.
The Bulgarian international, son of former footballer and manager Iliya Gruev, spent much of his childhood in Germany and began his professional career at Werder Bremen.
Ahead of Leeds’ upcoming clash with Wolves, Gruev shared with BBC West Yorkshire Sport how his upbringing in Germany sparked a fascination with politics and economics, interests that have influenced his nickname among teammates.
When asked if he is called “The Prime Minister,” he explained: “Sometimes they give me special names. Willy sometimes says, ‘You behave like a 40-year-old,’ which I don’t know if it’s a compliment or not. But yeah, things like this, it’s funny, it’s a good joke.”
Gruev elaborated on the origins of the moniker, linking it to his love of reading and his curiosity about the world beyond football. “I am very interested in other things than football.
Of course, football is my number one, and I watch as many games as I can. But I really like to read. I like politics, especially in Germany, because I grew up there.
I like finance and the economy. Some like to cook, some like to play PlayStation or to go for a walk. I like to read things, to develop a little bit, to look a little bit further than football.
And I think I got this also from my mum, she’s also very interested in a lot of things, and I think I got it from her. It’s a hobby.”
While Gruev’s intellectual hobbies may challenge the typical footballer stereotype in the UK, he isn’t alone in merging sports with civic interests.
His midfield partner Ao Tanaka gained attention when his image was used as the centerpiece of a mayoral election campaign in Japan.
Recently departed striker Patrick Bamford also leveraged his platform to highlight environmental issues, even celebrating goals with gestures supporting climate causes.
With Bamford no longer at Leeds, Gruev has one fewer teammate in the dressing room to discuss political and economic topics with, but his curiosity and distinctive personality continue to set him apart at Elland Road.
Alious
