Jordan Henderson: Wembley fans booing won’t stop me giving everything for England

Jordan Henderson has hit back at England fans who booed him during Friday’s win over Australia, calling the abuse “disappointing”.

However, he insisted: “It won’t change who I am and what I do for this team and for my country. I give absolutely everything every time.”

With Harry Kane as an unused substitute in the friendly, Henderson captained England at Wembley, his first game in the country since leaving Liverpool to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq in the Pro League in the summer .

LGBTQ+ support groups linked to Liverpool and England criticized the decision, given Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the fact that homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia. Henderson had been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights during his time as Liverpool captain.

Last month, Henderson gave an interview with Athleticism explaining his decision, although his reasoning attracted further criticism.

Henderson was booed by some of the Wembley crowd when he was replaced by Kalvin Phillips in the 62nd minute against Australia. Speaking after the match, he said he had not heard the boos himself, but that it would not affect his commitment to the England national team.

“Everyone has their own opinion,” he said when asked about the booing. “I love playing for England, I’ve been doing it for many years, that’s why I’m still here. I still want to play for England for as long as possible and give everything for the team, for my country .

“Leading the team tonight means a lot to me and my family. Another special night and we got the win, which is the most important thing.

“It’s not nice, your own fans, if they booed. But listen, people have their own opinions. Every time I pass someone on the street, it’s always positive things and nice things say.

“But listen, it won’t change who I am and what I do for this team and for my country. I give absolutely everything every time.”

When asked if he understood why people were booing, he replied: “Um, not really. I don’t know… what about you?”

When told it might be because of his move to Saudi Arabia, he replied: “Yeah, so… if people want to boo if I play in another country, that’s okay .Like I said, everyone will have an opinion when I play in Saudi Arabia.

“I’ve spoken in the past about the reasons for this. Whether people believe us or not is up to them.

“But when I’m here with England it doesn’t change anything. I’m giving absolutely everything. Of course it’s disappointing, but it won’t change what I’m doing here. I want to keep playing, keep fighting and help the team succeed.”

His England head coach, Gareth Southgate, staunchly defended Henderson in his post-match press conference, describing him as “phenomenally important” to the team and a “role model for the group”.

Southgate also said he didn’t understand what the boos were for and said fans should support him and the rest of the team when they play at Wembley again on Tuesday in an important match qualifying for Euro 2024 against Italy.

Henderson said he appreciated Southgate’s support. “The coach has been really good, as always, to be honest, I’ve always felt support and backing from him and the rest of the guys, to be fair,” he said.

“So it’s nice to know you have the support of the manager and your teammates, but it’s never been in doubt for me. It’s always been the case.”

Henderson: ‘I’m not a politician’

Asked if he was surprised by the magnitude of the reaction to his decision, Henderson replied: “No, I wasn’t surprised by it because I can understand the reasons for what they say.

“I look at things from a different point of view, obviously. But I can understand it and I have to take it on the chin.

“But as I keep saying, that doesn’t change the person I am. I play football in another country in Saudi Arabia where I want to try to improve the game on the pitch but also off the pitch. field… That’s all I’m trying to do.”

Asked what he meant by “things off the field”, Henderson said he was talking about the structure of Al Ettifaq and the Saudi Pro League, rather than societal issues in Saudi Arabia.

“Yes, football, I’m not a politician. You know what I mean? I’m not going to get into politics,” he said.

“All I did was focus on my football and try to help the people who asked for my help.

“When I go there, I just play football trying to improve the league, trying to improve my own team and trying to win football games. I do the same thing when I come here.”

Henderson on impact on his game playing in Saudi Arabia: ‘I still feel great’

As well as the controversial off-field issues surrounding Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia, his move to a league below the Premier League has also been used as an argument by his critics who say Southgate should no longer do so. select for England. .

However, Henderson dismissed suggestions his performances for England could suffer due to him playing in the Saudi Pro League. Instead, he suggested that the physical work he has to do to perform in the warmer climate of Saudi Arabia would actually benefit him when he joins the England squad.

“I’m playing in this league now and I’m still here, still playing,” he said when asked how the decision could affect his chances of continuing to play for England or being selected in the Euro team.

“I’ve already had conversations with the manager, what I thought was the right decision for me at that time, given everything that was happening at Liverpool as well.

“So it was a big decision, but one where I felt like I could still play regularly. Maybe not in a top league like the Premier League, of course. But I think when you talk of that, you’re talking about physical attributes and physical attributes is not a problem for me.

“I’m an experienced player, I know how to play football, you don’t forget that when you go out and play in a different league. So when I’m back here, when I’ve trained, when I’ve played games games, I really felt as good as ever.

“Yes, of course (there is a step forward between Saudi football and training with English teammates) but I am used to that with these players. I have been playing with these players for a long time now. So when I come to train with them, of course, the level rises but I feel normal and it’s the same for me.

“I feel as fit as ever. Probably because the conditions there are sometimes quite difficult with the weather, the humidity and the heat. So when I came here, I felt pretty good and comfortable. training and I feel really good, I hope it can continue.

“I mean, look at my numbers physically and my performance in a match, whether it’s in Saudi Arabia, whether it’s here for England, I don’t see it as a problem.

“That’s why I want to continue playing as long as possible for England because it means a lot to me and it always has. I want to try and help the team succeed in the games here but also in big tournaments and hopefully I can continue to perform, I can stay in shape and stay in the team for the tournament next summer.”

Henderson: Saudi World Cup would be a special tournament

Henderson also spoke for the first time since publicly supporting Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

“I think at that point they will have a pretty good World Cup, to be honest,” he said. “So I think it’s an exciting time for them as a country and I think it’ll be a special tournament if they end up getting it.”

He also thinks it would be a positive experience for football fans.

“I’ve been there for two months and there haven’t been any problems in terms of fans or anything like that,” he said.

“Again, I think they will enjoy the experience there. The wait time will be long from now on, but I think they will enjoy the experience there.

“When you look at Qatar, the way they did their job there. It was a good tournament, I think the fans enjoyed the tournament and I think Saudi Arabia would be no different.”

Follow coverage of England v Italy on Tuesday on the Sky Sports website and app; kick-off at 7:45 p.m.