Jordan Henderson: The story behind England star hurt in World Cup celebrations

Jordan Henderson was taken to hospital and given oxygen after a freak accident during England’s wild celebrations following their 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico, with manager Thomas Tuchel confirming the wrist injury looked “really bad”. As the football world awaits an update on the veteran midfielder’s tournament, the Mirror has been looking back at his journey to this point, from a difficult childhood in Sunderland to becoming the first England men’s player to appear at four consecutive World Cups.

According to the Mirror, the 36-year-old was hurt attempting to climb over advertising hoardings during the post-match celebrations in Mexico City, and was subsequently stretchered off before being rushed to a local hospital. It remains unclear whether the injury will end his World Cup campaign prematurely.

A childhood shaped by divorce

Henderson joined Sunderland’s academy at just eight years old, but the Mirror notes that his parents’ divorce, when he was only six, had a profound effect on his upbringing. In his 2022 autobiography, the Sunderland-born midfielder reflected on how the acrimonious split pushed him further into football.

“I don’t know where my determination to be a footballer came from,” Henderson wrote, as quoted by the Mirror. “I do know that I buried myself in football. Maybe a psychologist would say it was something to do with my mam and dad’s divorce. Their separation was not a good one, it was quite acrimonious. I saw stuff I wish I hadn’t seen in terms of arguments they had. Even though I was only six, there are moments I can vividly remember.”

He added: “When you’re a young lad, and especially if you’re an only child, which I was at that point, and your mam and dad break up, it’s like the end of the world.” Henderson found comfort staying with his grandmother Sheila, while splitting time between his mother Liz, a fitness instructor, and his father Brian, a police officer who moved five miles away to Washington.

Growth problems nearly derailed his career

Despite signing his first professional contract in 2008, Henderson’s path to the top was far from smooth. Gerard McNamee, Sunderland’s academy Head of Recruitment, told the Northern Echo, as reported by the Mirror, that the midfielder went through significant physical development problems during his Under-15s and Under-16s years.

“He went through growth problems and lost a bit of confidence on the back of it, so it was a bit of a struggle for him for a little while, and there were questions asked about whether he would make the next step into full-time football,” McNamee said. He explained that sports scientists reassured the club that Henderson would develop and grow stronger with time, adding: “He came in as a scholar and just took off.”

Former Sunderland player Kevin Ball praised Henderson’s relentless work ethic despite being physically slight for his age. “He was infectious on those around him,” Ball said. “Even in a race he knew he would lose, he would do everything to win it. He has undoubted football ability, but has this desire too, and an undoubted love of the game.”

Family life away from the spotlight

Henderson married his teenage sweetheart, Rebecca Burnett, in 2014, and the couple share three children. Rebecca has been a regular supportive presence at matches over the years while largely keeping her private life away from public attention, the Mirror notes.

Read more: Henderson’s Bellingham prediction proved spot on after Mexico brace