Rice and Gordon on how to overcome adversity

After landmark seasons in the careers of Declan Rice and Anthony Gordon, the duo were both on target in England men’s win against Costa Rica last week.

Gordon provided the assist for Rice’s opener as they combined impressively down the left-hand side, before the winger doubled the Three Lions’ lead from the penalty spot.

It was little surprise to see both players on the scoresheet, having arrived in camp full of confidence.

Rice picked up his first Premier League title with Arsenal this season, while Gordon recently secured a move to La Liga champions Barcelona from Newcastle United. In his campaign with Newcastle, he scored 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League, a tally only beaten by Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

But neither journey has been without its challenges, with both players overcoming adversity to establish themselves at the highest level.

Speaking on Episode 6 of Lions' Den, our series of shows with the England players that give unrivalled inside access to the Three Lions' camp. You can watch it now in full on the official England app.

“Us two are similar,” Rice explained. “We’ve had so many setbacks on our journeys so far, loads of rejection throughout our careers and loads of adversity.

“If you want to get to the top, you have to just keep taking those small losses, keep riding with them and keep believing in yourself.

“In the end, I think if you keep believing, have good people around you, then you’ll end up winning one way or the other. I’ve always believed that rejections as a kid, the adversities, always help.”

Mistakes are a part of football, and every player makes them. Gordon feels that he has found a way to combat the physiological effects they can have.

“I meditate every morning,” he said. “If I don’t, I feel all over the place! It’s just a bit of calm, football is about letting things go, whether you do bad or good.

“When I meditate, if I make a mistake, I find it easier to let go and be right in the next moment, and that moment could decide a game.”

Rice has recently been appointed England men’s vice-captain behind Harry Kane, and has learned throughout his career that mistakes can often be the foundation for success.

“In the early stages of my career, I would have worried about making mistakes or would have thought about that mistake for a while during a game, but that isn’t going to be my last mistake; I’m going to make more.

“I made a big mistake against Spurs [earlier in the season] and after that, I was so calm because all eyes are on you in that moment, but if you let your mind start to dictate you, then you’re just going to hide. I’ve become better than that over the years.”

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