Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers have both offered incredible praise for Jordan Henderson, naming him ‘the best person they have ever come across in football’.
Henderson’s qualities as both a player and a leader are well recognised by Liverpool supporters, but his inclusion in the England squad was widely criticised by many fans of the national team.
Rogers and Bellingham, though, have both come out fighting on the 35-year-old’s behalf, the latter labelling him “the first name on the teamsheet” (he meant first name in the squad).
“They don’t have a clue what they’re talking about,” the Real Madrid midfielder told England‘s in-house media when asked about those who doubted Henderson’s selection.
Aston Villa‘s Rogers then chimed in, saying that Henderson “is the best guy I’ve ever come across I think in football,” a line later repeated by Bellingham.
Rogers added: “We said this the other day, if people did a blind ranking of people they want at the camp beforehand, he would be in everyone’s top five, everyone’s.”
While he mightn’t see much game time, if any at all, this will be Henderson’s seventh major international tournament, more than any other player in England’s history.
Bellingham explained why his presence is still so important:
“He’s so funny, so funny. He’s the funniest guy at this camp and he gets everyone laughing, he gets everyone together.
“If there’s ever an issue which you maybe think, ‘I’m 22 or 23, maybe it’s a bit too much for me to go and address’, he’ll do it for you.
“If there’s a problem between two people, he’ll bring them together. He’s that kind of person where even the staff will go to him to sort out issues.
DOHA, QATAR - Monday, November 21, 2022: England's Jordan Henderson (R) and Jude Bellingham (L) after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Iran and England at the Khalifa International Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“He’s got no ego when it comes to the team. I mean, yes he’s a Champions League-winning captain, Premier League-winning captain, he’s doing the sets for the finishers yesterday.
“He doesn’t have to do that. He doesn’t have to be that humble. Every day in training, he’s relentless in wanting to be better and wanting to push everyone else to be better.
“He drives the intensity. I don’t know if we’re allowed to say it but some of the lads that didn’t play as many minutes had a game today against a local team (Miami United) and, honestly, you watch him in it and you think it’s the Champions League final.
“I don’t get how you cannot admire that.
“I know he’s a very close character when it comes to maybe the press and the media and stuff like that, and that maybe has given them a chance to maybe create a narrative around why he’s here, how can he be here.
“But for us inside, honestly, he’s the first name on the teamsheet.”
It may not be a surprise to Liverpool supporters to hear the impact Henderson has on training standards and the mood of the team, but it does serve as a reminder that there is more to footballing success than talent alone.
That isn’t to dismiss Henderson’s ability as a player – he was world-class for a couple of years at Liverpool – but his legacy will be of a brilliant leader and captain rather than as the star of a team.
England get their World Cup campaign underway on Wednesday, June 17 as they face Croatia at 9pm (BST) in Dallas.
World Cup 2026: England Fixtures
England vs. Croatia
Group L • Dallas Stadium
June 17 • 9pm
ITV 1
England vs. Ghana
Group L • Gillette Stadium, Boston
June 23 • 9pm
BBC 1
Panama vs. England
Group L • MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
June 27 • 10pm
ITV 1
*All times BST