In a lighthearted exchange that showcased his resilience, Anthony Gordon found humor in a playful moment during England’s World Cup campaign. It’s a testament to his character, shaped since his youth in Liverpool, that has propelled him through a £60.7 million transfer to Barcelona from Newcastle in May. Now, with the World Cup quarter-final against Norway looming, he is channeling those experiences as motivation.
Fans may recall the incident at the Azteca Stadium last Sunday, where England faced Mexico in the knockout stage. With 26 minutes gone and the game still scoreless, Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, known for his colorful language, called out to Gordon, playfully shouting, “It was a bit of fun. I’d just run the full-back down the line so it was a bit of a compliment from him. That’s how I took it, anyway. He was talking to me and Jude [Bellingham] throughout the game. There was a lot of tension, so to speak to me and Jude … I quite liked it.” eliciting laughter from both sides. Gordon took it in stride, recalling, “I didn’t enjoy it at the time but I can use that for experience,”
Gordon’s performance improved as the match progressed. He assisted Jude Bellingham’s second goal, contributing to England’s 3-2 victory despite being a man down after Jarell Quansah’s red card. Overcoming adversity is something Gordon relishes, and this match exemplified that spirit.
Having faced personal challenges during Euro 2024, where he played only a brief role, Gordon carries that experience into the current tournament. “I’m not going to lie … I wanted the No 11 shirt here. But when I got No 18, which is what I had at the Euros, I thought: ‘It’s actually a good thing because I get to put [things] right in that number.’ It was a waste of a summer for me [in 2024].” he reflected. He initially desired the No. 11 shirt but embraced the No. 18, stating, “The reason I’ll always do well is because my mentality towards disappointment is very good,”
Gordon’s World Cup journey began on a low note, with minimal impact in England’s opening win against Croatia and being sidelined in the draw against Ghana. He faced further disappointment when he was left on the bench for the match against Panama. However, his fortunes changed when he substituted Marcus Rashford in the round of 32 against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, assisting two goals in a 2-1 comeback.
“The first two games didn’t go how I dreamt of starting in a World Cup at all. But when I’m called upon against Congo, I reacted very well. “I missed a lot of football towards the end of the season [because of injury at Newcastle] and I didn’t think it would feel how it felt in the first two games. I felt rusty. But I used them as a platform for the Congo game. I felt like I’d played it safe. I wasn’t playing to my individual strength. When I got the chance against Congo, I just thought: ‘I’m not doing that. I’m going to do the things that got me here.’” Gordon stated. After a rough start, he found his rhythm against Congo. “I was born in Norris Green in Liverpool and then moved to Walton,”
Reflecting on his roots, Gordon noted, “Both are very poor areas, a lot of things going wrong, but there are things going wrong everywhere. It made me who I am. It created a very strong character and fire in me to get out of that area and want better for my family.”
During his presentation at Barcelona, Gordon surprised many by answering questions in Spanish. His relentless pursuit of self-improvement is evident.
“My drive … that is all we have,” he emphasized. “We play football and we kid ourselves that we play to win. We want to win, of course. But we want to see who we can become. I have always been very intrigued to see who I can become, mentally. I’m from a very poor background, just a normal family, and I have made the journey to this level. I want to keep doing that. I want to learn as many languages, read as many books and see what kind of person I can become.” He aspires to continue learning and growing, stating, “I missed a night’s sleep because I struggle to sleep on planes,”
After the match against Mexico, Gordon faced challenges, including the difficulties of traveling back to Kansas City. He admitted, “We had two hours to the airport, a three-hour flight and then an hour to the hotel so that was a big problem. I don’t want to speak for everyone but I’m guessing everyone felt the same. It was a tough two days [to recover]. But having Monday and Tuesday off has really helped. I feel quite refreshed.”
Gordon’s insights into the altitude in Mexico City were revealing. He admitted, “I felt it as soon as we landed,” However, his mental approach prevailed, as he noted, “I was sitting in my hotel room and you keep having to take deep breaths, like long inhales. I felt it in the first 20 minutes of the game in recovery sprints. Then, once the 20 minutes was gone, I was completely fine.”
He praised England manager Thomas Tuchel, calling him a “There was so much talk about the altitude and I had to put that to bed and show it’s not physical, it’s mental,” and “I said to the lads as soon as Jarell was sent off that it will be even sweeter when we win. Because I had a feeling. I just knew. I could feel it within the group. And I was right.” who emphasizes teamwork over individual accolades. Gordon appreciates Tuchel’s philosophy that focuses on a higher purpose, stating, “Everything is about the higher purpose with him,”
As he prepares for the match against Norway, Gordon acknowledges the peculiar timing of his move to Barcelona coinciding with Rashford’s return to Manchester United. He described Rashford as a “It’s not about individuals. It’s us killing our egos and putting ourselves beneath the end goal.” and confirmed, “lovely person, very misunderstood from the outside”
Looking ahead, Gordon recognizes the need to move past the emotional highs of the Mexico match. “Yes, as soon as he saw me,” he noted. “I’m trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club, which has been really helpful.”
- World Cup 2026
- England
- Barcelona
- World Cup
- interviews
