'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Roy Keane's brutal reaction to Jordan Henderson's England inclusion resurfaces
May 22 2026 14:13 · By Daniel Orme/Sports Writer · 4 Reads
View 2 Images
Roy Keane previously questioned Jordan Henderson's role in the England squad, with the midfielder now having again bagged a spot on the plane for the World Cup . Current Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel named his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament on Friday.
Ex- Liverpool star Henderson is one of those included, the 35-year-old now having the chance to add to his 89 England caps. But his inclusion has been questioned, with some arguing that Crystal Palace ’s Adam Wharton or Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White should have been picked by Tuchel instead.
It appears that Keane was ahead of the crowd in 2021 when he issued a brutal comment questioning Henderson’s place in the squad.
The Manchester United icon said: “I’ve heard a lot of people say they want him around the place. For what? Does he do card tricks? Does he have a sing song? Does he do quizzes in the evening? What does he do?”
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page
Henderson’s career has taken a number of turns since Keane’s brutal comments. He left Liverpool in 2023 for Saudi side Al-Ettifaq but stayed in the Middle East for just six months before joining Ajax.
Henderson was with the Eredivisie side for just a season before returning to the Premier League with Brentford. He has made 33 appearances for the Bees in all competitions since.
He spoke out on criticism of his role with the Three Lions last year. He said: “I don’t think I need to address it, to be fair. I have shown what I can do for England over the years. I am still playing at a high level.
View 2 Images
“Outside, people can think what they want. Media or whoever. The most important people are the manager, the coaching staff and the players and what they think. Ask them, what they think, if I am a cheerleader when I am here. I don’t think one of the best managers in Europe would be choosing me just to do that.
“I am here to perform, whether that is in training every day, whether that is when I am on the pitch. My main job is to be performing for the team and helping the team. All the other stuff is just to be myself.”
Should Henderson appear at this summer’s World Cup, it would become the fifth tournament of his career. He was left out of the squad for the Euros two years ago as England reached the final, only to be defeated by Spain.