‘I now realise…’ Jordan Henderson admits ‘mistake’ in moving to Saudi Arabia as England star gets another call-up
JORDAN HENDERSON has admitted that moving to Saudi Arabia last summer was a “mistake”.
The former Liverpool captain joined Al-Ettifaq last summer on a £12million deal.
The midfielder was paid handsomely for the switch, earning £700,000-a-week.
The move drew criticism from the beginning, given Henderson, 33, had been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Liverpool.
Homosexuality in Saudi Arabia is illegal and punishable by death according to its laws.
In an interview with the Athletic, he defended the move, and his stance on LGBTQ+ rights by suggesting his presence in the country could help bring about change.
He said: “I think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now. And I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing.”
But by January this year, it was clear that he wanted to leave the Saudi state, and he signed for Ajax on a two-and-a-half year deal.
He now admits the move to Saudi Arabia was a “mistake” and in an interview with Dutch outlet Parool said: “The Saudi league is developing but it doesn’t suit me, I made a mistake going there. I am happy here at the Ajax project.”
During his Ajax unveiling, Henderson said: “Things change quickly in football and I’m happy to make this decision (to come to Ajax) and I felt this opportunity was too big to turn down for me.
“In life, if you wanna call them regrets or mistakes you can, but they’re only mistakes if you don’t learn from them and I learnt a lot of things about Saudi.
“I haven’t got a bad word to say about anyone. I have friends over there I’ll speak to forever and there were still positives to come out of it.
“In the end it didn’t turn out way we both wanted to, but it ended on great terms.”
It comes after Henderson was again named in Gareth Southgate‘s England squad today.
His inclusion has become an increasing bone of contention for England fans, with many feeling his move to Al-Ettifaq last summer was a clear indication that he was done at the top level.
Southgate has made a point of being fiercely loyal to Henderson, and was even spotted observing his debut in a massive show of support for his midfield general.
England squad to face Brazil and Belgium
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone
Defenders – Kyle Walker, John Stones, Lewis Dunk, Jarrad Branthwaite, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell
Midfielders – Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Conor Gallagher, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison
Forwards – Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen, Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney, Anthony Gordon