Jordan Henderson’s father has revealed he feared the worst after watching his son being taken off the pitch on oxygen on a stretcher following England’s dramatic World Cup victory over Mexico.
Henderson, 36, has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering a freak injury during celebrations that followed the Three Lions’ 3-2 win at the Azteca Stadium.
The Brentford midfielder slipped as he attempted to jump over an advertising board and landed awkwardly on his arm, sparking immediate concern from team-mates.
Dan Burn was the first to signal urgently for medical assistance, before England players gathered around Henderson as medics treated him on the pitch and gave him oxygen.
Now his father, Brian Henderson, has told of the terrifying moment he realised the injury was far more serious than he had first imagined.
Jordan Henderson suffered a horrific freak injury after England’s victory over Mexico – but his dad didn’t initially know how serious the issue was
Henderson’s dad John, pictured after the 2019 Champions League final, said his fears grew when he saw his son being wheeled past on a trolley surrounded by medical staff
Brian, who was watching the match at his home in the North East, initially believed his son had simply taken a tumble during the post-match celebrations.
Captain Harry Kane initially played down the incident after the final whistle, telling the BBC: ‘Jordan just fell over there. I think he’s OK, just something to do with his arm.’
But Brian said his fears grew when, while watching Kane’s interview, he saw his son being wheeled past on a trolley surrounded by medical staff.
‘At first I just thought he’d fallen,’ he said. ‘I thought he’d maybe scraped his wrist.
‘I had no idea it was that serious until they were interviewing Harry Kane and a trolley came past with Jordan on it. I could see him on there with oxygen and things.
‘Straight away, I messaged his PA, who was over there, to try and find out what had happened. I was up all night waiting to hear the news.
‘It’s just a waiting game now.’
Former Liverpool and Sunderland star Henderson was later taken to hospital in Mexico City and did not return with the rest of the squad to their Kansas City base.
Henderson fell awkwardly on his arm – ‘completely smashing it’ – when vaulting over a barrier
Initial reports suggested that the footballer had sustained a wrist injury but Brian said his left forearm had been ‘smashed’.
Henderson had been due to fly back to Kansas City on Monday night but his return was delayed because of a storm.
He is scheduled to travel later today where is he is expected to go straight in for surgery.
Brian, a former policeman and amateur footballer, said a surgeon with experience of treating NFL stars has been lined up.
He said: ‘It’s his left forearm – he’s just completely smashed it.
‘He’s going to have a cast on and then it depends on what the experts say.’
Despite the injury bringing an end to his playing involvement at the tournament, Henderson is determined to remain with England for the rest of their World Cup campaign.
The veteran midfielder has played only six minutes at this tournament, yet he remains one of the most influential figures in Thomas Tuchel’s dressing room.
Henderson is set to meet up with his father and step-mother Donna when they travel to the USA next week.
Henderson left the Azteca pitch on a stretcher and Thomas Tuchel said his issue is ‘really bad’
Moments before the fall Henderson, right, was arm-in-arm celebrating with his team-mates
Brian added: ‘He won’t be leaving his team-mates. He’ll be there until it’s finished.’
England face Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday after Erling Haaland’s side stunned Brazil to book their place in the last eight.
Henderson’s injury leaves England light in midfield, with Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo now the remaining central options.
Manchester United’s Mainoo is yet to feature at the tournament.
Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in 98 seconds during England’s memorable win, said of Henderson’s injury post-match: ‘He’s in a bit of bother, but our medical team have got everything under control.
‘It’s probably best not to say too much when I don’t really know what was going on. But everyone was there to support him, and even that was a beautiful thing to see.’
Tuchel meanwhile suggested Henderson had hurt his wrist, telling the media: ‘It looks really bad.
‘It’s a quite serious injury, and it doesn’t fit to the evening that Jordan is now not with us. The doctor told me he is in hospital.’
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