England midfielder Jordan Henderson dismissed suggestions that the team was using Viagra to help adapt to Mexico City’s high altitude ahead of their World Cup round of 16 match against Mexico. The Spanish manager Thomas Tuchel, who is in charge of the English squad, previously denied reports claiming the drug was being employed to mitigate the effects of playing at over 2,200 meters above sea level.

When asked about how the team was handling the challenging environment, Henderson made light of the rumours, saying, “Well, the Viagra helped, I think… I’m joking!” He emphasized the players’ adaptability and focus on performing well despite conditions. “Players are very adaptable, really, and just get on with things. We just come here to do our job, and that’s to be the best version of ourselves, to be together, to compete, to give everything for each other and the nation back home, to make them proud,” Henderson said.

He acknowledged that some adjustments were necessary after arriving in Mexico City, noting an initial physical response to the altitude. “You can feel it a little bit, you can feel something, even when you just land and you come to the hotel,” he said. “In training, I felt that maybe in the first 10-15 minutes and then once training got going I stopped thinking about it.”

England conducted a training session on Saturday in the Mexican capital ahead of the match. The players are preparing to face Mexico in the knockout stage of the tournament, where altitude and local conditions are seen as potential factors influencing performance. Henderson highlighted the team’s focus on controlling what they can and finding solutions for challenges beyond their control.