Published 28.9. Translated by me personally, no AI used.
Leo Walta, 23, had a special reason to enjoy football last Saturday night in San Marino. He had an excellent game despite having lacked proper gametime for a long time at his club team.
Walta's elation for playtime showed in his goal contributions. He scored two wonderful goals and assisted two goals with his crosses. Playing as a number 10 in practice, Walta set the pace for Finland's attacks when the Eagle-owls defeated San Marino 7-0.
"I enjoyed getting to play again after a long time", Walta said.
At the Eagle-owls' hotel in Riccione, the day before Finland's opening game in the Nations League, Walta spoke about how his tough year has felt.
"I have not played enough in my opinion. Of course it has annoyed me because I always want to play a lot", Walta said.
Since the turn of the year his career has progressed in an unexpected way. The move to Swansea was supposed to be the next step in his career, but the first months in England progressed against Walta's expectations.
According to Walta, he generated interest from other clubs by summer 2025 already, but Sirius were not ready to let him go. The player believes that he played the best football in his career during the autumn of 2025.
Walta left Sweden having been named Sirius' player of the year. He had scored 16 league goals and had been named as one of three candidates for the best midfielder in Allsvenskan.
The winter window complicated things. According to Walta, interested clubs had less money to spend than in the summer and Sirius' asking price was high.
"We saw a move to [the English Championship's] Swansea as the best option and then it went through."
Swansea had already been tracking Walta for an extended period. Based on conversations had with the club, the player formed a strong conception that his attributes would be a fit for the team's style of play.
The beginning was not easy. Walta arrived at the club after a long break from action. He admits that he wasn't immediately capable of his best.
"I didn't get into the rhythm of the game well enough since I hadn't played for a long time. Certainly the first games could've perhaps gone a little better."
As the spring progressed he still only received limited responsibility, but playing felt better.
"During the spring I believe I played quite good in some games. The direction was positive in my opinion."
Walta believed the situation would turn around in the summer. He trained hard during his holiday and returned to Swansea in good shape. He thought the friendlies went well.
"The whole time I assumed that I would get to play and that I am good enough."
Swansea acquired many new players during the summer. A few days before transfer deadline day the club informed Walta that he could leave on loan.
"It came as a bit of a shock. The whole time I had been prepared to break through into a playing role at Swansea. I saw it as completely possible."
Walta had discussed his lack of playtime with his coach. He couldn't get a clear explanation.
"I kind of got the impression that perhaps a more physical profile was wanted in midfield"
Why did Swansea purchase you then?
"That's true. I don't know."
"I have kind of had the feeling that I haven't even gotten a proper chance to display myself there. I don't know if I was ever in the starting eleven two games in a row."
When Swansea suggested a loan move, there was little time left. LAFC had already contacted the club by then and there wasn't really time to explore other options.
Walta had a conversation with LAFC's head coach and club president. Walta quickly got the impression that LAFC knew exactly what type of player they were getting.
Whose advice did you turn to?
"I listened to myself."
Walta doesn't speak of the loan move as a chance to prove something.
"I don't think in the way that I have to prove anything to anyone."
When he's asked directly whether he wants to show something to Swansea, his answer changes.
"Of course I want to show them. More than anything I want to play good football and show that I am a good player."
According to Walta, he waited for his playing permit for 2-3 weeks. After the international break he is ready to debut in Los Angeles.
"I'm not any different as a player than I was before leaving Sweden."
At San Marino's stadium Walta got what he had been missing for a long time.
"I have certainly always known that I am a good player. As long as I receive trust and minutes, I definitely know what I'm capable of", Walta said after the game.
After the game against San Marino, head coach Jacob Friis determined Walta's performance to have been essential.
"He's one of the players that hasn't gotten a lot of minutes recently. That he's able to display the quality that we know he has, says a lot about his level."
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