Anthony Gordon, winger for FC Barcelona, gave an exclusive interview to Spain's El País, discussing his personality, mindset evolution, views on social media, and feelings about joining FC Barcelona. He says that his football intelligence is one of the most underrated abilities he possesses, and playing for FC Barcelona means you'll get lost if you're not intelligent enough.

At age 11, Anthony Gordon was rejected by Liverpool before developing his skills in Everton's academy and later making a name for himself at Newcastle United. Now, Anthony Gordon is learning Spanish and Catalan. He says, "I already knew some Catalan history before, but since coming here, I want to learn more." However, he chose to conduct the interview in English: "I understand and speak it, but I'm quite shy."

But on the pitch, you don't seem that way at all.

No, not on the pitch. People always have a different impression of me than reality. They can't distinguish between who I am in real life and who I am as a footballer. The moment I step onto the pitch, I become a different person. But I have to be the best version of myself. When I play, I'm very aggressive and intense. I want to win. Off the pitch, I'm calm and quiet.

Is it this on-pitch personality that makes the difference?

Absolutely. At this level, aside from Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and players of that caliber, people's abilities are fairly similar. What separates top players from merely good ones is their mentality.

I've played with some brilliant players, but they never reached their full potential because their mentality wasn't strong enough. For me, having a strong mentality matters more than having talent, because talent itself isn't stable.

When did you realize this?

Around 19 years old. I was a talented player, but my mentality wasn't strong or consistent. I was loaned out from Everton to Preston but barely played. After the loan ended, I told myself: I can't play at this level anymore. I need to play in the Premier League, not the Championship again. When I returned for preseason training, I started reading books and watching videos every day...

What kind of books?

Tim Grover's "Winning" and "Relentless." Since then, I've really prioritized personal development and started understanding many things.

Do you read fiction?

I only read books about personal development. I read to stimulate my mind, to learn things from life, and to understand what I don't know. As for fiction, I prefer watching films.

I heard you once wanted to start a book club in the dressing room. Is that true?

I'd like to, but I haven't tried yet. They're probably too young—they wouldn't want to participate. I know footballers who read are rare, but I feel like I have an old soul, you know? It's like I'm from another era.

Explain that a bit more.

I feel like I'm from another time. My personality might fit better in the '90s. These days, everyone is absorbed in social media, everything has become so materialistic, and romance has almost disappeared. I'm not like that. I prefer the past.

I don't know if it's a generational thing, because I know people born in the '90s or even the '80s who are just as absorbed in "like culture" on social media.

Since social media came into existence—around 2010—I feel like the world has gotten worse. People care about things that don't matter at all. What really matters is in your home, with the people close to you.

So we won't see you lying on the sofa scrolling through your phone all afternoon, right?

Of course I do it more than I should, but I don't like it. Every time I do, I feel guilty and unhappy.

How has social media changed footballers' lives?

Now players care too much about how others perceive them. Players get praised just for scoring a goal or providing an assist, even if they played poorly that match.

I'd rather play well without scoring many goals. For me, that's true football. I'd rather make the right decision for the team than play badly but score a goal.

So intelligence is more important than goals, then?

A characteristic of my playing style is that because I'm involved in pressing, people focus on that a lot. I think when people watch me play closely, my true abilities might surprise many of them. It was like that at Newcastle United. Eddie Howe signed me from Everton to run and press, but when I arrived, they felt, "Oh, you're a really good player."

I think my football intelligence is the most underrated ability as a footballer. I believe that's why I can play for FC Barcelona, because in this team, if you're not intelligent enough, you'll get lost. You have to make the right decision all the time, or you'll look bad on the pitch.

What does intelligence mean to you?

Intelligence means making more right decisions than wrong ones. Maybe I should shoot more, or be less selfless sometimes, but that's not my nature. Making the right decision makes me feel good.

What was it like when Hansi Flick called you?

He told me he wanted me here, saying that I fit his style and the way he likes to play football.

When you talk to him, you find he has an excellent personality. He's calm, kind, and very straightforward—which I like. I like people to be honest with me, even if it's brutal honesty. Also, they have the best team, so I wanted to be part of it.

People often talk about Mbappé or Lamine Yamal, but do you feel that in Spain, Harry Kane is somewhat overlooked?

It's like that everywhere. In England, everyone only cares about the Premier League. In Germany, they talk about Harry Kane because he plays for Bayern. Here, people talk about Lamine Yamal and Mbappé because they're the two best players. It's natural. You usually see what's in front of you.

Does Lamine Yamal amaze you?

Very much. But what truly amazes me is his mentality. I knew he'd be brilliant, and I knew he was talented, but I didn't expect this kind of mentality. Normally, young players with this much talent might relax a bit defensively, but his pressing intensity matches Raphinha's and mine, and he never misses gym sessions.

What about Rodri?

He amazes me too, but I've played with him before, so I already knew him. He's a beast. When he's on the pitch, if we lose possession and the opposition attacks, he's always there. In attack, he can slow down the game's pace, which gives the rest of us time and space to attack. It's the perfect combination.

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