Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson was one of many stars to move to Saudi Arabia in the last summer transfer window. He chose Al Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard's team, to try a new experience and take advantage of a lucrative contract, but soon realized he had made the wrong decision. Indeed, just 6 months later, he chose to return to Europe, accepting a call from Ajax in January.
Henderson admits he was wrong to go to Saudi Arabia
Henderson himself emphasized to the Dutch newspaper Parool how his choice to go to Saudi was not the right one: "During those five months in Saudi Arabia, I learned a lot about myself. What are my motivations? Why do I play football? Football is in my blood, now I know. The competitiveness in Saudi Arabia is developing and will be greater, but at the moment it does not suit me. I made a mistake going to Saudi Arabia".
His arrival in the Saudi Pro League had already raised several controversies in England, since the former Liverpool captain positioned himself as one of the main defenders of LGTBI+ rights and, from his home country, it is believed that they are not present in Saudi Arabia: "Everyone has an opinion, some spicier than others. That's fine and it's part of the game. I'm used to these things. But people don't know the whole story. Only I do".
The return to Europe
Now he is happy at Ajax and can once again experience the taste of European football: "I'm back to experiencing European nights like against Aston Villa. I want to create a big surprise with my teammates. When people whistle at me, it gives me an extra motivation. Proving the critics wrong is a recurring theme in my career that does not wear out over the years. It's my way of expressing emotions. A passion that belongs to me".
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