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Germany Legend Calls Out Jordan Henderson After Saudi Move

Jackson Fyda / Soccer / July 29, 2023

Germany Legend Calls Out Jordan Henderson After Saudi Move

German footballing legend Thomas Hitzlsperger has called out Jordan Henderson after his recent move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.

Henderson signed with Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, inking a three-year contract with the Saudi club. He will team up with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who has recently taken over the head coaching position for the club.

Jordan Henderson joins Al Ettifaq on 3 year contract — official, confirmed 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/UlQyxIrbGn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2023

A move away from Liverpool seems reasonable for Henderson. He is 33 years old and had been with the club for 12 years. This is an incredibly long time to be at a club, and a change of scenery is understandable.

However, moving to Saudi Arabia is controversial. It is seen by many as a move solely for the money, and with questions surrounding the country’s poor human rights record, many footballing fans around the world are not impressed by the players moving to the Saudi Pro League.

One of these individuals who is not impressed is former German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger.

In a Twitter post, Hitzlsperger called out Henderson for his move to Saudi Arabia despite Henderson’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.

So Jordan Henderson finally gets his move to 🇸🇦. Fair play to him, he can play wherever he wants to play. Curious to know though how the new brand JH will look like. The old one is dead! I did believe for a while that his support for the 🏳️‍🌈 community would be genuine. Silly me…
— Thomas Hitzlsperger (@ThomasHitz) July 27, 2023

He later responded to a comment defending Henderson’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia, arguing that Henderson’s decision does not line up with his previously stated beliefs.

This says it all. He’s gay mates are not safe if they want to watch him live. No one forced him to support the 🏳️‍🌈 community. He chose to. Why??? Doesn’t make sense to me anymore pic.twitter.com/L2dQ5MNJpW
— Thomas Hitzlsperger (@ThomasHitz) July 27, 2023

I have to admit, I agree with Hitzlsperger here. If you really support the LGBTQ+ community, then how can you move to a country like Saudi Arabia?

Man City’s Riyad Mahrez to move to Saudi Arabia

I understand that players make moves depending on what is best for them and their families. However, the fact that Henderson has made the move after what he has stood for in the past makes me question how genuine his support really was.

If money can make you ignore the things that you believe in, then do you truly hold those beliefs? Or was it all just for show?

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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