In a humorous exchange that highlighted his personality, Anthony Gordon utilized a light-hearted moment as motivation. This approach has been vital in his journey from Liverpool to a £60.7 million transfer to Barcelona from Newcastle at the end of May, and it fuels his preparations for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami.
Many have witnessed the viral incident. Just 26 minutes into the match at Azteca Stadium, England was in a scoreless standoff against Mexico in the round of 16. Javier Aguirre, the Mexican coach recognized for his straightforwardness, decided to demonstrate his English skills. When he called out Gordon’s name, he jokingly advised, “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.” prompting laughter from both sides.
“I didn’t enjoy it at the time but I can use that for experience,” Gordon reflected. “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].”
From that point, Gordon’s contribution in the match only increased. He played a pivotal role in the setup for Bellingham’s second goal, helping establish a 2-0 lead, and later earned a vital penalty for Harry Kane, which was crucial in England’s 3-2 victory despite being a player short. This win exemplified resilience, overcoming the challenges of being outnumbered, dealing with Mexico’s strong home advantage, and handling the stadium’s high altitude. Such challenges are precisely where Gordon excels.
Throughout his career, Gordon has often thrived when confronted with adversity. He reflects on his limited playing time during Euro 2024, where he made just one appearance as a late substitute in a 0-0 draw against Slovenia, a match that concluded with fans expressing their discontent towards Gareth Southgate. This experience has remained with him as he competes in the current tournament.
“The reason I’ll always do well is because my mentality towards disappointment is very good,” he admits. “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.’”
The World Cup did not commence well for Gordon. In England’s opening match against Croatia, which they won 4-2, he struggled to make an impact, and his performance in the subsequent goalless draw against Ghana was equally disappointing. Consequently, he was benched for the third game against Panama, where he remained an unused substitute while Marcus Rashford, who donned the No 11 shirt, took his position.
Rashford kept his place for the last 32 match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but a significant turning point occurred when Gordon was substituted in for him in the 61st minute while England was trailing 1-0. Gordon responded brilliantly, providing two assists for Kane in a comeback win that concluded 2-1.
“I was born in Norris Green in Liverpool and then moved to Walton,” Gordon explains. “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: “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.”m not doing that. I’m going to do the things that got me here.’
Gordon reflects on his early life and the influences that shaped him. “My drive … that is all we have,” he shares. “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.”
During his presentation at Barcelona, Gordon surprised many by answering media inquiries in Spanish, demonstrating his commitment to personal development. His thirst for self-improvement is insatiable.
“I missed a night’s sleep because I struggle to sleep on planes,” he states. “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 also acknowledges the challenges faced by the team during their return flight to Kansas City, their base for the tournament. “I felt it as soon as we landed,” he reveals. “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.”
His insights regarding the altitude in Mexico City are noteworthy. “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,” he says. “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.”
Gordon emphasizes the significance of mindset when facing challenges. “Everything is about the higher purpose with him,” he asserts. “It’s not about individuals. It’s us killing our egos and putting ourselves beneath the end goal.”
He speaks highly of Thomas Tuchel, describing the England manager as a “lovely person, very misunderstood from the outside” person and an “Yes, as soon as he saw me,” who draws from various sports and quotes to communicate his messages. “I’m trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club, which has been really helpful.” Gordon notes. “It’s a massive opportunity,”
Gordon also reflects on the unique circumstances surrounding his transfer to Barcelona, which coincided with Rashford’s return to Manchester United after a loan. He characterizes Rashford as a “And the way you do anything is really important. We need to focus on how we play, how we train. That has got us to where we are. The minute we start looking at the outcome, the trophy, the medals, all the superficial stuff, is when we will fall off track. We need to really focus on the process.” Did Rashford congratulate him on his move? “Yes, as soon as he saw me,” Gordon confirms. “I’m trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club, which has been really helpful.”
As the focus shifts to the forthcoming match against Norway, Gordon understands the need to move on from the emotional highs of the victory over Mexico. “It’s a massive opportunity,” he states. “And the way you do anything is really important. We need to focus on how we play, how we train. That has got us to where we are. The minute we start looking at the outcome, the trophy, the medals, all the superficial stuff, is when we will fall off track. We need to really focus on the process.”
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