Jordan Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq may not have worked out as planned, but that hasn’t stopped Steven Gerrard from continuing to consider bigger signings.
The former Liverpool captain completed a controversial £12million move to Saudi Arabia in the summer but cancelled his lucrative contract after just six months to return to Europe and join Ajax on a free transfer.
While Henderson inevitably defended his switch to the Gulf State at the time when he linked up with Reds legend Gerrard, he later admitted the move had been a mistake.
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“I now realise that football runs through my blood,” he said. Paroot Dutch Store In March, the Saudi league is developing, but it doesn’t suit me. I made a mistake by going there. I’m happy here, in the Ajax project.
While Henderson may have regarded his move as a mistake, his former Liverpool team-mate Gini Wijnaldum fared better at Al-Ettifaq and remains contracted to the Saudi club after succeeding the England international as Gerrard’s captain.
Meanwhile, Demarai Gray, Moussa Dembele and Karl Toko Ekambi also remain in their ranks, although Seko Fofana has returned to Al-Nassr after being signed on loan as a replacement for Henderson.
But Gerrard dreams of signing a more prestigious player for Al-Ettifaq. The Liverpool legend wants to sign Lionel Messi.
“It’s a dream for me to have Messi at Al Ettifaq,” he recently admitted to MBC Masr 2. “He’s an incredible player and he would be a great asset to the club. I know it’s difficult for him to go to Saudi Arabia, but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming.”
Messi, currently representing Argentina at the Copa America, has rejected offers from Saudi Arabia, which would have seen him rekindle his on-field rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, in favour of joining David Beckham’s Inter Miami on a free transfer in July 2023.
The 37-year-old has scored an impressive 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 appearances for the MLS club to date, and has reunited with Reds hero Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba after playing with the iconic trio at Barcelona.
However, with Messi under contract until the end of the 2025 season, Gerrard’s dream is destined to remain unfulfilled. The Argentine has He has already confirmed his remaining career plansalthough a move to Saudi Arabia is not on his radar as he acknowledged that his retirement is approaching.
“From today on, I think this will be my last club,” he said. ESPN Argentina last month. “I’m not ready to give up football either.
“I’ve been doing this all my life; I love playing basketball. I enjoy training and the day-to-day, the games. Yes, there is a bit of fear that everything will end. It’s always there. It was a difficult step to leave Europe to come here (Miami).
“Winning the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things differently. But I try not to think about it. I try to enjoy it. I do it more now because I am aware that there is little time left. So I have a good time at the club, being lucky to have good teammates and friends at my side.
“I really enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have good friends. I really enjoy those little details that I know I will miss when I stop playing.”
