England winger Anthony Gordon has revealed he took Mexico boss Javier Aguirre's foul-mouthed rant as a “compliment.” Aguirre, who has since stood down from his role, told Gordon to “f*** off” during their World Cup showdown in Mexico City. It came after Gordon had made a lightning run down the wing and the light-hearted moment has now gone viral on social media.
Gordon said: “I remembered it. It’s a bit of fun. With all the heat and tension around the game it was a bit of fun. I’d just run the full-back down the line so it was a bit of a compliment from him. That’s how I took it anyway. He seemed like a good guy, he was talking to me and Jude throughout the game and there was a lot of tension in the game so to speak to me and Jude, I quite liked it.”
Aguirre's Character and Gordon's Experience
Aguirre is known for being one of football's great characters but Gordon says it is not the first time a rival manager has tried to wind him up for being too quick. Gordon added: “I’ve never argued with a manager. Usually they say things like that when you’ve done something good and they give me a compliment or a compliment in not such a nice way like that one. I’ve had it a couple of times. He was just talking about the game. He was talking to Jude and because I heard him, he was a funny guy. A good character.”
Marcus Rashford Rivalry and Friendship
Gordon also revealed that Marcus Rashford was the first to congratulate him on his move to Barcelona - even though they could be rivals next season. England winger Gordon moved to the Nou Camp in a £70m switch while Rashford wants to stay in Barcelona after his loan spell with the Spanish giants last season. The pair are already rivals for a starting place for England - and now could be at club level too.
Gordon said: “He congratulated me as soon as he saw me. To be honest, he has been really helpful. I am trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club which is helpful as I have not been there yet. It is hard for me because my full focus is here. He has been really helpful. “But, yeah, we're in competition for a place. That’s football. At elite level you’re always going to have that and that usually serves me well, so I'm completely fine with that and I'm sure he is.”
Gordon Defends Rashford's Character
Gordon actually believes Rashford is somewhat misunderstood as a person and as a player but deserves respect rather than negative around him. He added: “He's a lovely person, very misunderstood I think from the outside. Very humble, just quite kid-like. He just loves playing football. You see him, he's always got a ball doing kick-ups and stuff. Lovely guy, been well brought up, nice family from what I know. “I just think media-wise he has always got a bit of stick. I think he is best speaking on that rather than me. From my point of view he has always had a bit of a negative view. Just a bit of stick. “From when I met him and from all the camps I have been on with him, he is a really nice person. As most footballers are, by the way.”
