Jordan Henderson spoke at a press conference at Azteca Stadium on Saturday ahead of England’s World Cup last-16 match against Mexico.
Jordan Henderson plays in his fourth World Cup with England
Jordan Henderson admitted he felt altitude at the start of England’s final training session before facing Mexico.
On Saturday afternoon, the Three Lions trained in the Pumas ‘Quarry’ and got a feel for the local climate before Thomas Tuchel and Henderson addressed the media at the Azteca Stadium.
Asked to assess the conditions, Henderson said: “You can feel it a little bit. You can feel something. Just landing and getting into the hotel I felt it a little bit and just walking around I can feel something.”
“When it comes to training, I personally felt it within the first 10-15 minutes. Once I finished training, I stopped thinking too much and focused on the session.
“So when tomorrow’s game comes around, once the players warm up and the game starts, I hope that all of their attention is on the game and that’s all that matters.”
Infamously, Azteca is 2,400 meters above sea level, and after extensive research, English authorities decided to fly into Toluca on Friday evening, spending two nights adjusting.
Tuchel said after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta that it was “physically impossible” for him to fully adapt to the high altitude.
He also asserted that Mexico had a “clear (physical) advantage” over the Three Lions, and admitted on Saturday night: “For example, I felt a slight headache all day and a little bit of trouble. I didn’t sleep as well as I did the day before. But there’s nothing that I can’t handle or adapt to.”
Jordan Henderson talks about what it’s like training in the highlands of Mexico
When asked if he thought the altitude was “unfair”, experienced midfielder Henderson replied: “Viagra helped me!”
“The manager is really spot on. The players are adaptable and just work things out. As far as kick-off times, it doesn’t really matter to us whether we play at 12pm or 6pm.
“It’s about being the best version of ourselves, being together, competing and giving everything for each other and our country.
“To make them proud and try to win football games. All the things we can’t influence are out of our control, like kick-off time and attitude and hotel treatment, so we just have to find solutions. It’s something we’re pretty good at and our staff is pretty good at. For us, it’s about being totally focused on the job at hand and there are no excuses.”
“We’re ready to be the best version of ourselves tomorrow. Then we’ll have a good chance.”
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