England star snubbed from Euros squad goes to extreme lengths to watch final in Berlin

Exiled England star Jordan Henderson reportedly hired a van to make the eight-hour trip from Amsterdam to Berlin to watch his Three Lions colleagues in the Euro 2024 final. The former Liverpool captain was not selected in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the tournament but was desperate to be in the Olympiastadion for tonight’s showpiece event.

Henderson endured a tough season after leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq last summer. That move failed to work and he ended up joining Ajax in the January transfer window.

The 34-year-old’s form in the Eredivisie was not even enough for a place in England’s preliminary 33-man squad for the tournament. Henderson had been vice-captain for the Euro 2020 campaign but has watched this tournament from home.

However, upon England’s semi-final victory over the Netherlands, Henderson began making plans to watch his former team-mates in Berlin. After realising that he would not be able to book a plane in time, the 81-cap international hired a van to drive to the German capital.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Henderson has driven for eight hours from Amsterdam to Berlin alongside his young children. Despite his omission from the squad, he has been desperate to cheer on England as they face Spain.

Henderson is understood to have been upset after being excluded by Southgate. He had previously been almost ever-present during the England manager’s reign and was a starter at the 2022 World Cup.

England face Spain in Berlin for a chance to win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Southgate’s side have peaked at the right time in Germany and will be a match for the Spanish – who have been the tournament’s most exciting team.

Ollie Watkins struck a dramatic late winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final. England will need another huge moment against Spain if they are to win their first-ever European Championship.

The Three Lions will need to overcome the disappointment of losing the Euro 2020 final against Italy. Southgate insists there has been a different feeling in the team’s Blankenhain camp compared to the one three years ago.

“There’s a different feel [than 2021]. We’re now in a different moment as a team, two tournaments on and a lot more big match experience,” Southgate told the BBC.”I guess there was less of a celebration, perhaps less satisfaction at reaching a final.

“I wouldn’t say it becomes run of the mill but it’s a little bit more normal for us. That statement in itself is probably a bit ridiculous given our history.”