Anthony Gordon made a notable impression during his unveiling at Barcelona, revealing he had taken just six Spanish lessons before delivering remarks in the language. The England winger completed a surprise £70 million transfer from Newcastle United, and his developing Spanish skills underscore his commitment to adapting quickly at his new club.

Gordon, who has earned 18 caps with the England national team, discussed the challenges of learning Spanish. “It is difficult. People always see the end results. When you practise a little bit, it becomes a lot easier but it is really difficult,” he said. Since arriving in Barcelona, he has increased his lessons to nine, including sessions with local coaches and conversations with the club’s Spanish physio. Despite modest self-assessment of his language abilities, Gordon's efforts to integrate off the pitch reflect his broader professional ambitions.

The 25-year-old, a former Everton player, is also focused on his ongoing role within the England squad as the team prepares for its World Cup opener. England is set to face Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, a match Gordon hopes to start after delivering a strong performance in a recent 3-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica in Orlando. “I try to be direct. It’s what I am good at. I was blessed genetically in terms of pace, so it would be a waste not to use it,” Gordon said, emphasizing his speed as a key asset on the field.

This tournament marks Gordon’s first World Cup appearance, and he expressed excitement about the experience ahead. “The real stuff starts. It is exciting. We are creating memories, as we will never get this time back,” he said, highlighting the significance of representing his country on football’s biggest stage.

Under England manager Thomas Tuchel, Gordon described the environment as supportive and unique. “He is an amazing person. He is very sarcastic and very funny once training has stopped. You can be yourself, which is not always the case with some managers,” Gordon remarked.

To maintain focus and composure, Gordon practices daily meditation. He credits this routine with helping him set clear goals and stay mentally grounded. “If I don’t do it, I feel I am all over the place. It is a bit of calm. Football is about letting things go,” he said, also noting how meditation assists in overcoming mistakes during matches.

On the opposing side, Croatia defender Duje Caleta-Car highlighted the challenge England poses, particularly from captain Harry Kane. The fixture in Dallas, the first Group L match, is anticipated to be England’s toughest test in the initial phase. Croatia famously defeated England in the 2018 World Cup but suffered a home defeat in the Euro 2020 round of 16.

Caleta-Car, formerly of Southampton and now with Lyon, praised Kane’s football intelligence despite the striker not scoring in their last meeting. “His movement and positioning — you can see he’s a master of the game and knows what he’s doing,” Caleta-Car said. Recognizing Kane’s 61-goal season with Bayern Munich, he stressed the need for Croatia to limit space and chances for England’s key players, describing them as “quality individuals who can decide a game with a single move.”