Midfielder Henderson Opens Up About "Challenging Times" After Saudi Arabia Switch

Jordan Henderson playing for Brentford
Jordan Henderson has featured in multiple Premier League games for Brentford in the present term

England player Jordan Henderson reveals he has encountered "challenging moments" after departing from Liverpool for Saudi Arabia and acknowledges he might "taken different decisions".

The experienced player was widely criticized for exiting Liverpool in 2023 to sign with Al-Ettifaq in a country where homosexuality are against the law.

Henderson had previously been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and apologized for upsetting or hurting anyone in the community when he exited Saudi Arabia to move to Ajax six months later.

International Career and Reflections

Henderson missed out on Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad but is back to the Premier League with Brentford and the national team under Thomas Tuchel.

"I don't think it was the factor why I missed the Euros," Henderson remarked. "When I was in Saudi I feel I was in every camp prior to the Euros."

"Timing, with all things in hindsight, yes - perhaps I would have taken different decisions."

"But at the moment that's how I believed and the decision I made was for many different reasons and I alone know those reasons."

Emotional Struggles

"To be honest, over the past two years I have had various tough moments. It felt like a break-up when I left Liverpool."

"Certainly I'm not flawless and I've made poor choices in the past. Certainly I will have throughout my career."

"However all I've ever attempted to do is the right thing."

England Career

Henderson has gained 85 caps since making his England debut against France in 2010.

He is in Tuchel's squad to face Wales and Latvia this week and feels he still has much to provide on the pitch.

"The crucial people are the coach, the coaching staff and the players and what they believe," said Henderson.

"Question them what they feel, if I am a supporter when I am here. I don't believe one of the finest managers in Europe would be selecting me just to do that."

Tammie Figueroa
Tammie Figueroa

Lena is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and consumer electronics.