Anthony Gordon Reveals Marcus Rashford Gave Him Advice on Barcelona Life Despite World Cup Rivalry

Anthony Gordon has shed light on his private exchanges with Marcus Rashford, describing the Barcelona forward as “a lovely guy, very caring” who offered practical advice about settling into life in Catalonia — despite the two players being direct competitors for a wing position in Gareth Southgate’s England setup heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the 25-year-old Gordon revealed the nature of those conversations. “He was just telling me how good the lads are there, the team spirit that they have, which I heard already from the people in Barca,” Gordon said. “I’m really looking forward to joining up with them. He was also telling me about the city, places to live. He’s a lovely guy, very caring. So he was just giving me a bit of information.”

Gordon completed his move from Newcastle United to Camp Nou late last month, signing a five-year contract running until 2031. The deal was structured at an initial fee of €70 million (£60.7 million), with a further €10 million available through performance-related add-ons.

The transfer immediately intensified scrutiny over Rashford’s standing at the Spanish club. While Gordon arrived on a long-term permanent deal, Barcelona have yet to exercise the €30 million (£26 million) purchase option required to secure Rashford on a permanent basis, leaving his future at the club unresolved despite an impressive loan campaign during the 2025/26 season.

Rashford registered 14 goals and 11 assists across 49 appearances during that loan spell, contributing directly to Barcelona’s LaLiga title triumph. Despite those numbers, the club has thus far prioritised the acquisition of Gordon — a player who operates in essentially the same position and carries a broadly similar profile.

The contrasting financial commitments surrounding the two players have fuelled speculation about whether Barcelona intend to retain both forwards or allow Rashford to depart once the World Cup concludes. The permanent clause for Rashford stands at less than half the fee paid for Gordon, making the club’s decision to proceed with the more expensive option a notable signal of their transfer priorities.

For now, both players are focused on England’s World Cup preparations, and Gordon was keen to push back against any suggestion of tension between them. The circumstances — one player arriving on a blockbuster deal while the other awaits a decision on his future — could reasonably have created friction, but Gordon’s account points to a professional and amicable dynamic within the national camp.

Gordon, who turns 25 this year, has developed steadily since breaking through at Everton before his move to Newcastle. His transfer to Barcelona represents the most significant step of his career to date and places him among the higher-profile English players competing in La Liga. Should Rashford’s permanent move fall through, Gordon would likely operate as Barcelona’s primary wide option on the left flank heading into next season.