Barcelona's Anthony Gordon admits: 'I watch every Real Madrid game hoping they lose'

Anthony Gordon has barely had time to settle into life in Catalonia, but the Barcelona winger already knows exactly where his loyalties lie — and where they don't.

The 25-year-old, who swapped Newcastle United for Barcelona over the summer, this week admitted that he makes a point of tuning in to every one of arch-rivals Real Madrid's fixtures. And he is not doing it as a neutral.

Barcelona in action during a Champions League fixture

Speaking to the media after linking up with the England national team, Gordon revealed there are two reasons behind his viewing habits: tracking the form of fellow Englishman Jude Bellingham, and willing Madrid to slip up.

"I watch every one of Jude's games now, hoping they lose (laughs)," Gordon said. "But he has had a tremendous start to the season, he started really well."

A perfect start at the Camp Nou

Gordon has slotted into Barcelona's attacking setup with relative ease since his move, already boasting four goal contributions in six La Liga appearances. Those exploits have proven significant in Barcelona romping to the top of the table with a flawless record of seven wins from seven.

José Mourinho's Real Madrid, by contrast, have stumbled despite a host of their own summer additions, slipping six points off the pace of the Blaugrana early in the campaign. Watching on all the while, as Gordon freely admits, has been the English winger himself.

For a player still finding his feet in a new country and a new league, Gordon's early numbers and his unmistakable competitive edge suggest he has taken to the Barcelona-Madrid rivalry rather comfortably — even if he would prefer to see his compatriot's side come up short.