In a heartwarming revelation that captures the true spirit of sports fandom, England footballer Jordan Henderson disclosed that he took an unconventional route to watch the Euro 2024 final. After being overlooked for the squad, Henderson drove with his family from England to Berlin in a hired van to support his teammates as they faced Spain in the championship match.
Henderson, who has made 82 appearances for the national team, recently made his return to the England squad under new coach Thomas Tuchel, following a year of being omitted by former manager Gareth Southgate. The road to self-discovery during a challenging time led him to experience the Euro 2024 final not as a player but as a passionate fan.
Reflecting on the journey, he recalled, “I didn’t know until late doors whether I could go with training or times or schedule. But we were off or late the next day so I was able to go. Then, when I found out I could go, there were no flights anywhere. I couldn’t go from England, couldn’t go from Amsterdam. So I looked at how far it was and I hired a van for me and the family and we drove across.”
Despite the long drive, the trip turned bittersweet when England succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Spain after a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. Nevertheless, Henderson cherished the experience of being a supporter this time, saying, “When we needed the toilet or something, or popping in the garages, it was quite funny to see some of the fans. Actually, it was quite nice to be with them.”
While he would have preferred to be on the pitch, Henderson expressed satisfaction at witnessing the match live. “I was watching on the telly and it was hard but all I wanted was the lads to do well and win. I had a good feeling that we were going to win, so I needed to be there to see it. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. But I was happy that I went to watch them live,” he remarked.
After the heartache of the Euro 2024 final, Henderson was back in action for England. He came off the bench during Tuchel’s first match in charge against Albania on March 21, 2025, helping propel the team to a 2-0 victory in their opening game of the World Cup qualifying campaign. This match marked a significant moment for Henderson’s renewed international career under Tuchel.
As England continues their qualifying journey, the team is set to play Latvia on March 24, 2025, creating anticipation amongst fans for a strong showing. With Henderson back and contributing, hopes rise for a successful run this time around.
Henderson’s story underscores the enduring passion football holds in the hearts of players and fans alike. Amidst the glitter and pressures of international tournaments, it’s this unwavering support from family and fans that makes every involve event special, regardless of the outcome.
