Jordan Henderson Claims Money Had No Impact on Saudi Move
Jordan Henderson joined the wave of players leaving Europe and moving to Saudi Arabia this summer, leaving his long-time home in Liverpool to join fellow Reds legend Steven Gerrard at Saudi club Al-Ettifaq. It was seen as a controversial move, especially considering Henderson’s supposed support for the LGBTQ+ community. It looked to many like Henderson had forgotten all about his morals once he saw all of the money that would come with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
The 33-year-old English midfielder, however, has insisted that his move to Saudi Arabia was not impacted by money.
“Stevie [Gerrard] never mentioned money. Everything I spoke to Stevie about was football and the project. And he actually said he didn’t want to get involved in any of the money stuff. It was all about what we could do together to achieve something special and build a club and build the league. …” Henderson told The Athletic. “People will see this club come with loads of money and he’s just gone, ‘Yeah, I’m going.’ When in reality that just wasn’t the case at all. People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation. Ever.“
Henderson also defended his previous support for the LGBTQ+ community and insisted he still supports the community despite moving to the Saudi Pro League.
“All I’ve ever tried to do is help,” Henderson said. “And when I’ve been asked for help, I’ve gone above and beyond to help. I’ve worn the laces. I’ve worn the armband. I’ve spoken to people in that community to try to use my profile to help them.
“I’m not a politician. I never have been and never wanted to be. I have never tried to change laws or rules in England, never mind in a different country where I’m not from.
“So I’m not saying that I’m going there to do that. But what I’m saying is people know what my values are and the people who know me know what my values are. And my values don’t change because I’m going to a different country where the laws of the country might be different.”
This feels very disingenuous to me, just like when Gerrard said he was moving to Saudi Arabia for the “family feeling,” I am calling B.S. on this.
Let’s call it what it is. He moved for the money. Despite being 33, he is still at a high enough level that he could have moved somewhere else besides Liverpool. There is a reason he is still getting called up to the English national team and is the Three Lions’ vice-captain. Henderson can still play.
He went to Saudi Arabia for the easy money and any other reason is just not true. I know that he can’t admit this, especially with the heat he is receiving due to his support of the LGBTQ+ community. But come on, we all know this is why he and all of the other players who moved to Saudi Arabia this month ultimately made the move.
Money talks and Henderson decided to follow the money rather than his morals.
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