Henderson explains his move to Saudi Arabia: ‘Money was not a motive’

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Jordan Henderson (33) played twelve years for Liverpool. During this time, with the “Reds” he won all major trophies, including the 2019 Champions League. And not as a follower – but as a captain for eight years. But that’s not anymore. He is now under contract with the Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, where he is reunited with coach Steven Gerrard (43).

Liverpool fans were shocked when Henderson accepted Saudi Arabia’s offer this summer and left his heart club. But the negative echo this transfer generated in the press and on social media was even greater.

Because not only did the Premier League lose a formative player to the desert, the LGBTQ community also lost a figurehead to a country that tramples on gay rights. Henderson represented the concerns of LGBTQ people for many years and became the face of the One Love campaign. His move to Saudi Arabia is a slap in the face to the LGBTQ community.

Values ​​sold for money?

Henderson is now commenting for the first time on his controversial transfer in British sports medium ‘The Athletic’. And he defends himself against the accusation that he sold his progressive values ​​for generous money. In any case, he claims that he did not move to Saudi Arabia for the money. “Believe me or not, money has never been a motive in my life and career. Never.”

Anyway, the high salary amounts traded in the media are not true. In the case of Henderson, there is speculation about a weekly salary of more than 800,000 euros. But he makes it clear: “I wish it were. But those numbers are wrong.”

If he didn’t want to move to Saudi Arabia for the money, what was the reason? He says he was drawn to the prospect of helping football grow in the Arab world. “I’m going to a new place to try something new, to make the game I love bigger in another country. And to make the league one of the best in the world.”

“It hurts me”

For Henderson to move to Saudi Arabia as a longstanding LGBTQ ambassador, thereby surrendering to a regime that has, in some cases, imposed the death penalty on homosexuality, amounts to treason for representatives of this community. He can understand this feeling, but says, “The fact that people criticize me and say that I have turned away from them really hurts me.”

Because: “My values ​​won’t change because I’m going to a country where different laws apply.” It is a good thing when someone comes to Saudi Arabia with their values. “We can all stick our heads in the sand and criticize other cultures from a distance. But then nothing will ever change there. So I think it can only be positive to have someone of my faith in Saudi Arabia.”

However, it will likely be difficult for Henderson to continue LGBTQ support. Al-Ettifaq’s post-transfer intro video spoke volumes: his rainbow armband, worn for many years at Liverpool, was colored black and white in all frame settings. A problem? No, says Henderson dryly: ‘If that ignores your religion, then that’s not right either. Everyone must behave respectfully towards religion and culture.”

Settlement with Liverpool

Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia is controversial not only from a socio-political point of view, but also from a sporting perspective. The central midfielder played 77 international matches for England and has since been called up again for the European Championship qualifiers. With so many stars in England, you might think that a player who makes his money in Saudi Arabia would also disappear from the national radar.

Henderson sees it differently. For him, the “Three Lions” were even an important reason for the transfer. Because at Liverpool he probably wouldn’t have gotten the same amount of playing time. With the European Championship in mind, he was looking for a new challenge – and found it with Al-Ettifaq.

Nevertheless, he is disappointed with the way Liverpool have put the handle in his hand. “I felt like my value to the club had changed. (…) It was hard for me to digest that (…) At no time did I feel wanted at the club.”

Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia is one of disappointments. For multiple parties. For very different reasons.

Source : Blick