Anthony Gordon netted his first goal as a Barcelona player after returning from the international break - and he still couldn't avoid certain digs in the Spanish media
Anthony Gordon of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Getafe
Anthony Gordon returned from the international break to score his first Barcelona goal(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Former Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon enjoyed a breakthrough performance in his Barcelona comeback. It took the ex-Magpie less than two minutes to finally find the mark on Saturday, scoring the opener as Barca beat Getafe 3-0.
After a productive couple of weeks in the England camp, Gordon took that form and channelled it into more success at club level. It helped Barcelona extend their perfect record atop La Liga this season, where they've now won eight games from eight.
And yet his maiden goal still wasn't enough to entirely avoid the feeling Gordon was slighted by the Spanish media in some way. That's after Mundo Deportivo reacted to Saturday's result by noting summer signings Gordon and Gabriel Jesus "aren't dazzling stars" in the grand scheme.
Some at St. James' Park may disagree with that assessment of their former winger. The comment was intended as a compliment to Barca's recruitment and credited the pair as "smart signings" who arrived with lesser profiles compared to those they replaced, though the comment could be easily interpreted as a minor dig.
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The same outlet made up for that comment, however, by hailing Gordon's "well-executed individual effort" and suggesting the winger's "confidence is palpable."
Madrid-based daily AS concurred with that assessment in how Gordon has turned things around compared to before the international break. His five assists in six league games for Barca prior to Saturday were appreciated but Gordon's poor luck in front of goal let him down.
"He had missed every possible opportunity. But as soon as he donned the England jersey, he started scoring," read its review. "He returned with a different attitude."
Anthony Gordon of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF
It took the former Newcastle star less than two minutes to score the opener against Getafe(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Marca paid the Englishman an even higher compliment while lauding him alongside fellow signings Jesus and Karim Adeyemi. Recruited to replace the extremely talented trio of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford, the newspaper suggested "nobody remembers those three players anymore."
High praise indeed considering the calibre of those stars. Marca followed up that breakdown by handing Gordon a nine-out-of-10 rating for his performance, which showed he's currently "brimming with confidence."
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A separate comment noted the Liverpudlian has "improved immensely since joining Barca." Despite showing plenty of production in Hansi Flick's system almost instantly, the hope will be this first goal opens the floodgates for Gordon somewhat.
Newcastle fans will watch his success from afar with mixed emotions. And while many will still feel forlorn Gordon is no longer one of their own, others will have beamed with pride the former Magpies talisman is finding his feet in Catalonia with such aplomb.