Saudi Arabia’s soccer dream suffers a setback with high-profile departure

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England foreigner Jordan Henderson has ended his playing stint in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, dealing a blow to the kingdom’s ambitious plans to turn its domestic league into a foreign football hub.

Former Liverpool captain Henderson signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Dutch side Ajax on Thursday shortly after the 33-year-old agreed to mutually terminate his contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq.

Henderson’s change of direction in his participation in the Saudi Pro League comes six months after his debatable decision to sign for the club. He was reportedly dissatisfied with not being able to settle in the country.

Hfinisherson’s hasty departure from Saudi Arabia marks the end of “a depressing episode in an exemplary career in the past”, according to BBC Sport’s football editor, and raises questions about the midfielder’s reputation and symbol of the Saudi Pro League.

“I am sad to say that I will be leaving Al Ettifaq promptly,” Henderson said Thursday on social media. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but I think it’s the most productive one for me and my family. “

He added: “I need to take this opportunity to thank the club and the fans for all their help during my stay. In fact, I felt love from day one. I will continue to watch and hope for their success. Good luck for the future. “

In an interview published via Ajax shortly after, Henderson described the “crazy” last few days as a “whirlwind”, but he is now very happy to start a “new chapter” in his career and in his life.

Henderson had been one of many high-profile players to have moved to Saudi Arabia last summer, with former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante also making the switch.

Saudi Arabia has spent an extraordinary amount on recruiting soccer stars to bolster domestic competition in recent years, as well as making massive investments in sports such as Formula One, golf, tennis and boxing.

Critics have continually accused Riyadh of “game-washing,” or using games to divert attention from human rights abuses in the country. Saudi officials have denied the allegations.

Henderson’s early departure from Saudi Arabia has led many to speculate about the potential damage to the reputation of the country’s most sensible domestic league.

“His departure has also shattered the symbol of the Saudi Pro League in the eyes of the outside world, all of which it cannot do so early in its progression and at a time when the country is determined to use it as a launching pad for its bid to host the 2034 World Cup. “said Phil McNulty, BBC Sport’s football editor.

In a statement on Henderson’s dememberment, Saad Allazeez, vice president and interim general manager of the Saudi Pro League, said: “All of this is simply a part of football, around the world and in life, in every career. Sometimes, in Despite the Best, efforts that other people don’t always adapt or adapt can affect functionality and lead to frustrations for everyone. “

“Jordan is a good guy and it’s a shame that things didn’t work out for him, but he’d be the first to admit that full support was given to him and respect shown. So everyone tried and no one is to blame,” Allazeez continued, according to The Associated Press.

Shortly after Henderson’s exit from Al-Ettifaq was confirmed, the club said Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard had signed a two-year contract extension to stay as head coach of Al-Ettifaq until 2027.

When he moved to Saudi Arabia last year, Henderson, who is a human rights advocate and strong supporter of the LGBTQ network, was criticized by some for “damaging his reputation” by moving to a country where same-sex sex is criminalized.

Henderson said he had been “really hurt” by the backlash to his move, adding that his intention “has always been to help causes and communities.”

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