England midfielder Jordan Henderson has suffered a severe left forearm injury after a freak accident during celebrations following England's World Cup victory over Mexico. The incident occurred as Henderson attempted to jump over an advertising board, landing awkwardly and sustaining what his father described as a complete smash of his forearm.
Dan Burn was the first to alert medical staff, and teammates quickly gathered around Henderson as he received oxygen on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher. His father, Brian Henderson, watching from home, initially believed the injury was minor but his fears grew upon seeing his son being transported on a trolley with medical staff administering oxygen.
"At first I just thought he'd fallen," Brian Henderson recounted. "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."
Henderson, 36, was taken to a hospital in Mexico City and did not travel with the rest of the squad to their Kansas City base. He is scheduled for surgery, with a surgeon experienced in treating NFL players reportedly lined up. Despite the injury ending his participation in the tournament, Henderson intends to remain with the England squad.
"He won't be leaving his team-mates. He'll be there until it's finished," Brian Henderson stated. The midfielder has played only six minutes in the tournament but remains a significant figure in the dressing room. Manager Thomas Tuchel described the injury as "really bad" and confirmed Henderson was in the hospital.
England will face Norway in the quarter-finals, with Henderson's absence creating a gap in midfield. The remaining options include Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and Kobbie Mainoo, the latter yet to feature in the tournament. Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in the victory over Mexico, acknowledged Henderson was "in a bit of bother" but expressed confidence in the medical team's handling of the situation.