Anthony Gordon hails Barcelona as the world’s best club after surprise fan welcome

Anthony Gordon says he has been struck by the support he has received from Barcelona fans since joining the club from Newcastle.

The England winger was Barcelona’s first signing for the 2026-27 season and has made eight appearances in a short time at the Catalan club. He has adapted quickly to Barcelona’s playing style and philosophy, while building a dedicated following among supporters.

Gordon has provided five assists but says scoring goals is the next part of his game he wants to improve.

“I have not had many chances to score so far,” he told the October edition of Barcelona magazine, in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo. “In fact, this has happened throughout my career. At every club and during every period, I have needed some time before I started scoring regularly.

“But I am convinced I will score a lot of goals.”

Gordon also admitted he had not expected to receive such a warm response from supporters so early in his Barcelona career.

“These fans admire Messi, Luis Suarez, Ronaldinho and many of the best players in history,” he said. “I did not expect to feel this appreciated from the beginning.

“People appreciate seeing you give everything for the team. Perhaps they were also surprised by my footballing ability. At Newcastle, they saw me only as a fast and aggressive player, and then discovered other aspects of my game.”

The winger said he had been helped by several team-mates, particularly Eric Garcia, who speaks fluent English.

“I do not want to leave anyone out, but Eric Garcia has helped me a lot because he speaks English fluently,” Gordon said. “I understand a little Spanish, but when they speak quickly or talk among themselves, it is difficult for me to follow.”

He also credited Dani Olmo and praised Pedri’s awareness on the pitch.

“Dani Olmo has helped me a lot too,” he said. “Barcelona is a completely different city from those I knew in England.”

On Pedri, Gordon added: “I have made many dribbles throughout my career without anyone seeing them, but now I have Pedri, who sees everything.”

Gordon said the humility within the squad had been another unexpected feature of life at Barcelona.

“It is the best club in the world and has some of the best players, but everyone is extremely humble,” he said. “We are very ambitious and want to win everything, but you never hear anyone talk too much.

“You see people training, enjoying themselves and working together to improve every day.”

The 2026-27 signing said joining Barcelona fulfilled a childhood ambition. His favourite Barcelona side was Pep Guardiola’s team that won the Champions League with players including Xavi and Iniesta, while Luis Suarez is his favourite player in the club’s history beyond Messi.

Gordon described the current team as one built on possession, control and intense pressing, saying those principles made his adaptation straightforward. He is also learning Spanish and Catalan, although he acknowledged the switch from English was complicated.

Asked which manager had influenced him most, Gordon named Hansi Flick, while also expressing his appreciation for Eddie Howe, Frank Lampard and Rafa Benitez.