In a playful exchange, England winger Anthony Gordon showcased his knack for transforming challenges into motivation. This attribute has been a hallmark of his journey since his youth in Liverpool and played a significant role in his recent £60.7 million transfer to Barcelona from Newcastle in late May. As he gears up for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami, that determination remains unwavering.
One noteworthy incident occurred during England’s last 16 match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. With 26 minutes on the clock and the score still tied, Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, known for his candid remarks, decided to engage Gordon. “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.” Aguirre jokingly shouted, prompting laughter from both sides. Gordon appreciated the light-heartedness, recalling, “I didn’t enjoy it at the time but I can use that for experience,”
As the match advanced, Gordon’s performance visibly improved. He played a crucial role in setting up Jude Bellingham’s second goal and earned a vital penalty for Harry Kane, contributing to a hard-fought 3-2 victory despite facing a red card disadvantage. This win illustrated England’s resilience against Mexico’s home advantage and the challenging altitude, a scenario where Gordon excels.
There has long been a perception that adversity enhances Gordon’s game. Reflecting on his limited role at Euro 2024, where he made just one appearance, he expressed, “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].”
The World Cup journey did not commence as Gordon envisioned; he struggled to make an impact in the opening match against Croatia and faced difficulties in the subsequent draw with Ghana. Consequently, he was sidelined for the third match against Panama. However, he capitalized on the chance to shine when he replaced Marcus Rashford in the knockout stage against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, providing two assists in a 2-1 comeback victory.
“The reason I’ll always do well is because my mentality towards disappointment is very good,” he explained. “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 reflects on his upbringing in Liverpool, a background that significantly shaped his character. “I was born in Norris Green in Liverpool and then moved to Walton,” he says.
During his presentation at Barcelona, his responses in Spanish surprised the media, highlighting his commitment to self-improvement. “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.” he stated. “My drive … that is all we have,”
Gordon acknowledged the logistical hurdles the team faced after returning from Mexico. “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 shared. “I missed a night’s sleep because I struggle to sleep on planes,”
He also discussed how altitude affected their performance, noting, “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.” Nevertheless, after adjusting, he was able to perform effectively during the match.
For Gordon, the emphasis remains on mental resilience. “I felt it as soon as we landed,” he remarked. “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 expressed admiration for England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, describing him as 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,” figure and an “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 prioritizes collective goals over individual accolades. “Everything is about the higher purpose with him,” Gordon explained.
Gordon also noted the coincidental timing of his transfer to Barcelona, which coincided with Rashford’s return to Manchester United after a loan spell. He characterized Rashford as “It’s not about individuals. It’s us killing our egos and putting ourselves beneath the end goal.” Did Rashford congratulate him on the transfer? “lovely person, very misunderstood from the outside” Gordon replied.
As the team prepares for their match against Norway, Gordon underscores the necessity of maintaining focus. “Yes, as soon as he saw me,” he stated. “I’m trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club, which has been really helpful.”
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