FC Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon has expressed his frustration with the growing influence of social media.
He has argued that modern society has become too obsessed with public opinion, individual recognition and material possessions.
As quoted by [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/anthony-gordon-harto-redes-sociales-135683926), the English international shared his thoughts in an interview with El Pais ahead of his first El Clasico against Real Madrid, offering an insight into his mentality away from football.
**“Since social media arrived, around 2010, I think the world has become worse,**” Gordon said, explaining his concerns about how online platforms have changed people’s priorities.
**“People focus on things that don’t matter. The only thing that really matters is at home, with your people,”** he added.
The Barcelona winger admitted that he occasionally spends time scrolling through his phone, although he does not particularly enjoy the experience.
**“When I do it, I feel guilty and unhappier,”** he confessed.
Gordon believes the problem extends into football, where players can become overly concerned with how supporters and outsiders judge their performances.
**“Now they think a lot about other people’s opinions,”** he explained.
He also questioned the importance placed on goals and assists when evaluating players, insisting that contributing to the team’s overall performance matters more.
**“I prefer to play well and not score,”** Gordon stated.
Gordon’s comments are particularly interesting given the enormous expectations surrounding attacking players at Barcelona.
Goals and assists naturally attract attention, but Flick’s system also demands intelligent movement, pressing and a willingness to make decisions that benefit teammates.
Gordon, in his limited time at the club, has already shown that he understands the importance of being selfless in key moments.
The Englishman also described himself as an “old soul”, expressing his admiration for the 1990s and criticising modern society’s obsession with materialism.
**“Now everyone is obsessed with social media, everything is materialistic, romance almost doesn’t exist,”** he said.
Gordon looks and carries himself like a retro figure, and even his football is a welcome throwback to the classic Barclays Premier League days.
With his first Clasico approaching, Gordon will face intense scrutiny regardless of his performance. However, he seems unfazed by it.
His challenge will be to maintain this mentality when the going inevitably gets tough at Barca, and it remains to be seen how he fares against Madrid.