Herrera dreams of ending career at FC Porto: “I spoke to Villas-Boas” | OneFootball

Former FC Porto captain Héctor Herrera has revealed that he wants to end his career at the blue-and-white club and said he has already spoken about that possibility with president André Villas-Boas. Now living in Houston, the Mexican midfielder also spoke about the Portuguese national team, his successor as captain, Diogo Costa, and the conditions the team of the Quinas may face at the World Cup, in an interview with Bola Branca, on Rádio Renascença.

Playing for Houston Dynamo after representing the Dragons between 2013 and 2019, the player admitted he has already expressed his wish to return to the Invicta city. “I spoke with Villas-Boas, he said we could talk,” Herrera said, leaving the door open to a possible return. “It would be a dream to be able to finish my career at FC Porto. It was a club where I spent many years and had a great time. I really like the city, the club, the people. It would be a dream to come back and finish my career there. When I was with the team in New York last year [at the Club World Cup], I spoke with André [Villas-Boas] about it. He said we could talk [laughs]. I’m at a point where I still have a contract, but it would be something to consider, being able to end my career at the club I love,” he said.

The bond with FC Porto remains very strong, with the club being the one he feels “the most affection for in football.” Herrera remembers his years in the Invicta as “perhaps the best” of his career, a period of great personal and professional growth. “It was many years, maybe the best years of my career. It was where I enjoyed football the most and where I grew the most as a player and as a person,” he said, stressing that the bond with the city and the club “will never end.”

Among his most striking memories is the decisive goal he scored against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz. “I think it was the best moment I had at FC Porto. It was an unforgettable moment that I think I’ll remember all my life,” he said. The emotion, he insists, remains intact: “Even today, I watch that video and get chills.” That goal, crucial to winning the title, was seen as “a reward for all the work” and “the cherry on top of the cake.” It is an image he makes a point of sharing with his children, as “a good example.”

The former player still follows the Portuguese league, watching highlights whenever his schedule allows, and remains in touch with friends at the club. He said he was “very happy” with the recent league title, considering it deserved. “They played very well for most of the championship. The FC Porto people are very happy with what they achieved,” he said, thanking André Villas-Boas for the opportunity to watch the team’s matches in New York during the Club World Cup.

With 245 games, 35 goals and 28 assists for FC Porto, the Mexican international, who also holds Portuguese citizenship, maintains a very close connection to the club. As for the current captain, Diogo Costa, Herrera was not surprised by the goalkeeper’s rise. “I’m not surprised. Since he was a kid, he showed a lot of quality and had a great future ahead of him,” he praised.

Finally, he paid a heartfelt tribute to the late president Pinto da Costa, whom he described as “the greatest idol” in the club’s history. “He was the greatest symbol of FC Porto, it was very sad news for all of us,” he lamented, recalling the exemplary treatment he always received from the historic leader and thanking him for the opportunity to wear the FC Porto shirt.

Portugal among the favorites and the dilemma of a final against Mexico

In the same interview, Herrera pointed to Portugal as one of the national teams with the strongest case to win the World Cup. “Because of the players they have and the name of the country, but mainly because of the players they have. I think they can have a great World Cup,” he said. Asked who he would support in a possible final between Portugal and Mexico, the midfielder admitted it would be hard to choose.

“A draw, right? [laughs] Split the trophy,” he joked, before acknowledging how difficult the decision would be. “Now seriously: I think it would be very beautiful to have a final between Mexico and Portugal. But I love Mexico, it’s my country. But I’m very grateful to Portugal, I really like the people, everything about the country. The clubs and the national team, especially. It would be a very difficult decision,” he explained.

The former FC Porto captain also spoke about his former teammate Paulinho not being called up to the Portuguese national team, a recurring topic in Portuguese football. “We’re very good friends. He’s an incredible person, and as a player he’s top. He has shown tremendous quality in Mexico, I was a two-time Mexican champion with him,” he said.

Herrera believes Paulinho may have deserved a chance with Portugal, although he acknowledges the fierce competition. “I think he could have had an opportunity, but maybe earlier. But it’s also true that he’s competing with players who perform at the highest level, he himself talked about that,” he explained, adding that the forward takes the situation calmly. “His attitude is: ‘If they think I’m ready to play for the national team, I’ll go. I’ll do my job,’” he said.

To finish, Herrera highlighted the affection Mexican fans have ended up developing for Paulinho. “He was called up for a friendly there with the national team in March, and when he came on the whole stadium applauded. He has won a lot of affection from the Mexicans,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.