Anthony Gordon has spent his entire life overcoming challenges and expectations.
England winger Gordon says his rigorous upbringing at Liverpool has created the “strong character” he has today. Therefore, Gordon considered the setback in this tournament just another bump in the road to his ultimate goal of winning the World Cup.
Gordon smiled as he admitted it started before the ball was even kicked and Marcus Rashford was given number 11 ahead of him on the team list. His tournament didn’t get off to a great start either, but he was determined not to let this opportunity slip away, just like he did at Euro 2004, when he only made one substitute appearance.
However, Gordon has really emerged in the last two games, providing two assists as a super-sub against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a great performance against Mexico, and he feels his time has finally come.
Gordon said, “We kid ourselves that we play soccer to win. Of course we want to win, but we also want to see who we can become. The reason you pursue elite success is to find out who you can become in the process. I’ve always been very curious mentally about who I can become.”
“I come from a very poor area, I come from a very poor background, I was born into a very ordinary family, but obviously I’ve come a long way to get to this level and I want to continue that.
“The reason I always do well is because my mentality for disappointments is very good. I always react well to disappointments. The first two games didn’t go at all as I had dreamed of starting in the World Cup. I didn’t enjoy Euro 2024 at the time, but looking back now it was good. I can use it as experience.”
“When I got my World Cup number, I texted my agent. I’m not going to lie, listen, I wanted number 11. I’m not going to lie to you.”
Anthony Gordon misses out on number 11 to Marcus Rashford (Image: 2026 The FA)
“But when I got number 18, I emailed my agent and said, ‘It’s really nice to be able to wear that number,’ because I was number 18 at the Euros and I thought it was a waste of my summer.”
“So I thought it was an opportunity to make something special out of those numbers. In the first game, I just didn’t touch the ball that much, and that’s fine. We won the game, but whatever. In the second game, I just thought I didn’t play well. Ghana defended really well, so that’s fine.”
“I wasn’t playing to my individual strengths. When I got the chance against Congo, I thought, ‘I’m not doing that, I’m just going to do what got me here.’ Obviously it paid off.”
Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham celebrate after Gordon wins England’s penalty against Mexico (Image: 2024 Soccrates Images BV)
Gordon had arguably his best game for England against Mexico and feels his tournament is finally picking up. It felt like a turning point for England too.
Despite a slow start to the tournament, England are on a roll. Now they face Norway with new confidence, but also with a sense of defiance. Because in the face of altitude, home fans, weather delays and the sending off of Jarrell Quansah, the win in Mexico City felt special.
England’s Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rodgers celebrate at Estadio Azteca
Gordon said, “There was a lot of talk about the altitude and how it would affect us, but I had to put it to bed and show that it’s not a physical thing, it’s a mental thing. Right after Jarrell was sent off, I told the players it would be even better if we won.”
“Because I had a feeling. I just knew. I could feel it in the group. I felt like we got through it.”
“I think it was a special win anyway, but when you put everything together and throw the arrow in that situation, it makes it even more special.”
You can’t escape from it. Gordon’s main headline at Euro 2024 was when he fell off his bike and grazed his jaw. This time around, Gordon is relishing the opportunity to play under “incredible motivator” Thomas Tuchel, and for the manager it’s all about the team.
He added: “For me, that’s his biggest strength. When it comes to football specifics, he’s at the top level. But for me as a source of motivation, what he says is really helpful. He uses different quotes, different sports and examples. He uses different quotes, uses different sports and examples. He uses different words, uses different sports and examples.”
“That really works for me. He’s a really warm person, always talking to people, always giving hugs, trying to get the best out of people.
“It’s a little bit of everything. I don’t know this, but he seems very spiritual. So he uses things like that. Basically everything is towards a higher purpose rather than focusing on the individual.”
“This is not about individuals; it’s about us killing our egos and putting ourselves under the ultimate goal.
“Every one of his quotes, every motivational tactic he uses, all lead us toward that goal.”
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