JORDAN HENDERSON has broken his silence after being booed by the Wembley crowd while playing for England last night.
The veteran midfielder quit Liverpool to move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
Despite his transfer, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has continued to pick the 33-year-old, even handing him the captain’s armband for last night’s 1-0 friendly victory over Australia.
Henderson was booed by large portions of the sellout Wembley crowd last night, being targeted as his name was read out before the game, during the match itself and when he was substituted.
Southgate, 53, furiously defended Henderson after the match.
Taking to social media tonight, the Al-Ettifaq star posted four pictures from the match – leading the team out, in action, his match shirt in the dressing room… and clapping the fans.
He captioned his post: “Always an honour to represent my country, never take it for granted.
“Extra special to lead the team out at Wembley.”
Harry Maguire, who has also received stick while playing for England, commented two clapping emojis.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham also left supportive comments.
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While James Maddison added handshake and heart emojis.
Steven Gerrard and Phil Neville also commented clapping emojis on the post, which quickly received over 100,000 likes.
In his post-match press conference, Southgate said: “I really don’t understand it – he is a player, I think it is 79 caps now for England.
“His commitment and what he has done for England is exceptional.
“His role on and off the pitch is phenomenally important.
“So yeah some people decided to boo but I really don’t understand what that is for.
“We have players in England shirts. Come on, we play Italy here Tuesday. Let’s get behind this team.
“What has that got to do with supporting a guy wearing an England shirt?
Gareth Southgate
“I know we weren’t at our best tonight but that is due to a lot of changes made and gave the players out there a really difficult task.”
Quizzed if Henderson’s backing of Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid impacted fans’ thinking, Southgate added: “What has that got to do with supporting a guy wearing an England shirt?
“I don’t really know where we’re heading with everything.
“I’m hugely impressed with the impeccable values and decisions that everybody in our country is making then. I don’t understand it.
“I know what has created it and why it has happened but it defies logic to me that you would give a player who is putting his heart and soul into playing for England. How is that going to help him or the team?”
