​England star Anthony Gordon found Mexico coach Javier Aguirre’s viral heckle funny and said he took the X-rated remark as a compliment. Gordon’s comments come after a remarkable performance from Thomas Tuchel’s team, who produced one of the country’s most storied World Cup nights on Sunday as they fought back to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory over a resilient opponent in the last-16 at the raucous Estadio Azteca.
Moments from that unforgettable evening in Mexico have flooded social media, capturing everything from John Stones catching his manager by surprise with an injury prank before the pair broke into a dressing-room dance, to Harry Kane’s battle to be heard with a fading voice. But one clip that stood out to fans showed the Mexico boss Aguirre shouting Gordon’s name on the touchline, only to unleash a shouted “f*** you” with a manic grin that instantly went viral.
“I remembered it,” Gordon said with a laugh when asked about the moment. “It’s just 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 I took it as a compliment from him. That’s how I saw it, anyway.”
Gordon added that Aguirre appeared to be a good character, speaking with him and Jude Bellingham throughout the match. He explained that the game’s intensity didn’t dampen Aguirre’s approach, and in his view, the exchange underscored a lighter side amid high stakes and scrutiny. “There was a lot of tension in the game, so to speak to me and Jude, I quite liked it,” Gordon noted, signaling that the exchange was received in a friendly, competitive spirit rather than as a personal slight.
The England midfielder also touched on how his teammate Bellingham was singled out by Aguirre, whom Gordon called a “good character.” He said, “Yeah, yeah, I’ve had it before.” Gordon emphasized that managers’ comments often accompany standout performances, suggesting that such remarks can be a sign of acknowledgement or even a compliment, though the delivery can be sharp or brash.
Looking ahead, Gordon is set to line up against Norway in the World Cup quarter-final, a clash scheduled for Saturday in Miami. He reflected on the broader pattern of manager-baiting and banter in football, explaining that while verbal jibes from opponents can feel intense, they’re frequently rooted in acknowledgment of a player’s impact on the game. “I’ve never argued with a manager,” he said, noting that such exchanges sometimes come after positive contributions or moments that a manager wants to highlight, even if the phrasing isn’t always pleasant.
As England advance to their next challenge, Gordon’s light-hearted take on Aguirre’s viral moment offers a glimpse into the modern football landscape where social media moments can amplify a manager’s tactics and a player’s performance in equal measure. The night at the Estadio Azteca stands as a reminder of the unpredictable drama that defines the World Cup, with players and coaches alike leaving lasting impressions through both on-pitch achievements and captured interactions that resonate long after the final whistle.