Henderson stirred up plenty of controversy when he decided to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq after leaving Liverpool in 2023. Having been a high-profile advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, his decision to play in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal was met with a fierce backlash. Henderson spent just six months in the Middle East before returning to Europe by joining Ajax in January 2024, though he was not included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championship that summer.
During his unveiling as a new Ajax player, Henderson apologised to the LGBTQ+ community, saying: “If any people from that community feel let down or hurt, I apologise, as I did six months ago. That was never my intention.”
Asked by reporters if he regretted his move to Saudi Arabia, Henderson said at the time: “In life, you know, you can, if you want to, call them regrets or mistakes. You can call them that. But at the same time, you know, they’re only mistakes if you don’t learn from them.”
But Henderson, who joined Brentford in the summer after leaving Dutch giants Ajax, has now opened up about what has been a “tough” few years since leaving Liverpool. Likening his departure from Anfield to a “break-up”, the 35-year-old says he’s only ever tried to do “the right thing” when discussing his decision to move to Saudi Arabia.
In quotes carried by the BBC, Henderson said: “I don’t think it (moving to Saudi Arabia) was the reason why I missed the Euros. When I was in Saudi I think I was in every (England) camp prior to the Euros.
“Timing, with everything in hindsight, yes – maybe I would have made different decisions. But at the time that’s how I felt and the decision I made was for many different reasons and only I know them reasons.
“I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years I have had some tough moments. It felt like a break-up when I left Liverpool. Of course I’m not perfect and I’ve made mistakes in the past. Of course I will have throughout my career.
“But all I’ve ever tried to do is the right thing.”
Henderson has been in good form for Brentford in 2025-26, recording two Premier League assists in his side’s first seven games. The former Sunderland man has also been reintroduced into the England fold under manager Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions push to qualify for next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, while there have been some suggestions Henderson has been brought back into the England squad primarily for his experience, he insists his current form for Brentford proves he is more than just a “cheerleader” for Tuchel.
Discussing his return to the England setup, Henderson added: “I have shown what I can do for England over the years. I am still playing at a high level. Outside, people can think what they want. The most important people are the manager, the coaching staff and the players and what they think.
“Ask them what they think, if I am a cheerleader when I am here. I don’t think one of the best managers in Europe would be choosing me just to do that. If I have to speak to younger players, that should be a given, really. It is natural that the older you get, the more experienced you are, of course you want to pass on those experiences to younger players coming into camp.”
Henderson is in contention to play when England take on Wales in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday. Tuchel’s men will then travel to Riga to take on Latvia in a World Cup qualifier next Tuesday.
