England's Jordan Henderson Reflects on "Difficult Times" Post Saudi Transfer

Jordan Henderson playing for Brentford
Jordan Henderson has played in multiple Premier League fixtures for Brentford this season

England midfielder Jordan Henderson reveals he has faced "difficult moments" after departing from Liverpool for Saudi Arabia and acknowledges he might "taken different decisions".

The 35-year-old was widely criticized for leaving Liverpool in 2023 to join Al-Ettifaq in a country where same-sex relationships are against the law.

Henderson had been known as a vocal advocate of LGBTQ+ rights and said sorry for disappointing or upsetting people in the community when he departed from Saudi Arabia to join Ajax six months later.

International Career and Thoughts

Henderson missed out on Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad but has returned to the Premier League with Brentford and the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.

"I don't believe it was the cause why I was excluded from the Euros," Henderson remarked. "While I was in Saudi I think I was in every camp leading up to the Euros."

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

"But at the moment that's how I thought and the decision I made was for numerous reasons and solely I know the rationale."

Emotional Struggles

"I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years I have had various tough moments. It felt like a break-up when I left Liverpool."

"Certainly I'm not without fault and I've made errors in the past. Naturally I will have throughout my career."

"But all I've ever attempted to do is the correct thing."

England Career

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

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

"The most important people are the manager, the technical staff and the players and what they believe," said Henderson.

"Inquire with 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."

Diane Cisneros
Diane Cisneros

A logistics expert with over a decade of experience in optimizing delivery networks and enhancing supply chain efficiency.