Anthony Gordon’s first goal for Barcelona in La Liga was a moment of pure magic—cutting inside, slotting past Getafe’s keeper with a flick of the wrist to seal a 3-1 victory that extended Barça’s unbeaten season to 20 games. Yet within hours, Spanish media outlets had moved on from celebrating the goal to dissecting the player himself, with critics questioning whether Gordon’s form can justify his £30 million transfer from Newcastle.

The backlash wasn’t just about the result. Gordon’s debut for Barça had been a mixed affair: his assist for Raphinha’s opener was praised, but his own contribution to the final score was the sole highlight. Spanish analysts, who had already been skeptical of his Newcastle tenure, pointed to his limited impact in Barça’s 2-0 win over Sevilla the previous week—a game where he made just one shot on target. The consensus? A player of his profile should be more consistently dangerous. ‘Not a star,’ one prominent outlet declared, echoing concerns that his pace and creativity alone won’t fill the void left by the departed Ousmane Dembélé.

The timing of the criticism is telling. Barça’s board had already faced scrutiny over Gordon’s signing, with some pundits arguing the club overpaid for a player whose Newcastle contract was reportedly terminated by mutual consent. Now, with the pressure mounting to replicate the success of past summer signings like Gavi and Pedri, Gordon’s inconsistency risks becoming a liability. His future at Camp Nou hangs on whether he can replicate his best form—something that, for now, remains elusive.

What’s clear is that Gordon’s journey at Barcelona is far from over. The Spanish media’s swift dismissal of his debut goal underscores the high bar set for new arrivals in a club that demands immediate impact. For now, the focus remains on whether he can turn his occasional brilliance into a consistent threat—before the window to prove himself closes.