"Toni Gros is one of us": Gordon has fallen with grace at Barça
The English winger, who takes Catalan classes, has won over his teammates and the fans in almost record time
Barcelona"Toni Gros is one of us". This is one of the messages that Barça shared on its social media for the Diada. It refers to Anthony Gordon, the English winger who has amazed Hansi Flick and all of Barcelona with only a handful of months in Barcelona. Already at his presentation, at the end of May, Gordon dared to say "I am very happy" in Catalan while signing some autographs for the fans who were asking him for goals. For the moment, the goals are still awaited, but he has already provided four assists in five matches, all four in La Liga, and has earned the affection of a good part of the fans, who chanted his name at the Camp Nou after the 5-2 thrashing against Rayo Vallecano a couple of matchdays ago.
At the end of the match, some of his locker room teammates approached the Brit, who has become popular with the bulk of the group, to tell him that it was not at all common to win over the fans so quickly. He has not yet found the back of the net, but his understanding of the game –he is very clear about what his role in the team is, what Flick asks of him and, in training, his quick adaptation to Barça's football has been surprising– and his dedication have won over the fans. Also his coach: "Of course he wants to score goals. But I told him that what he does, providing assists, is just as important or more than scoring goals. He is doing very well and I am happy with him", concluded the German coach before the duel against Feyenoord.
Gordon rested against the Dutch and gave up his place to Karim Adeyemi, but he will return to the eleven this Sunday for Barça's visit to the Ciutat de València (16:15, Movistar LaLiga). His friendliness off the pitch and his understanding of the game, although no one misses the fact that he still needs to get the thorn out of his side of having more luck in finishing, have also made him another member of the little group in the dressing room that makes up the majority of the world champion World Cup players: Pedri, Eric, Olmo, Joan Garcia and, also, Rodri. Although due to his background it might seem that he would bond more with the expats (Szczesny, Christensen, De Jong...), his command of Spanish has helped him.
Anthony Gordon takes Catalan classes twice a week
He himself explained that he is familiar with Spanish because at Newcastle he practiced it with the physiotherapist Daniel Martí. The specialist explained in an interview with RAC1that a good part of Gordon's interest in Spanish and Catalan was due to his desire to sign for Barça: "He has said 'Long live Barça and long live Catalonia' a lot. He has his goals very clear. In England, La Liga is followed a lot and the dream of many footballers is to play for a big team in the Spanish league". This summer, despite the interest of other big clubs in Europe to sign him, Gordon did not want to let the Barça train pass him by, aware that he might not have another opportunity to wear the blue and garnet.
Before playing for Newcastle and landing in Barcelona, the footballer had also been practicing Spanish with Rafa Benítez, when coach and player coincided at Everton, and with other teammates. As published by The Athletic, furthermore, Gordon takes Spanish and Catalan classes twice a week. In this way, he joins the group of illustrious footballers, such as Fermín or Kika Nazareth, who despite not having Catalan as their mother tongue have chosen to learn it out of respect for Barça, its fans, and its social reality.
Joan Solé, a Barça member and promoter of the Cultura de Grada initiative, caused a stir with a flag that presided over Casa Pin, one of the bars on the Travessera de les Corts where it is customary to have pre-match drinks. It was before the duel against Athletic Club on August 27th: wearing a barretina, a drawing of Gordon presided over the Saint George's Cross with the slogan: "Antoni Gros is Catalan".
"Since England and Catalonia share the same patron saint, which is Saint George, the link was direct. We are a fanbase that really likes players who give their all for these colors. Gordon is a player who, from the first minute, showed great humility and a great desire to work," Solé explained when asked by 3Cat. The image went viral and they have received many requests to have the flag, Solé concludes. Anthony Gordon (or Antoni Gros) has been well-received at Barça.