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 Seleção may face at the World Cup, in an interview with Rádio Renascença’s Bola Branca program.

Playing for Houston Dynamo, after representing the Dragons between 2013 and 2019, the player admitted that he has already expressed his desire to return to Invicta. “I spoke with Villas-Boas, and he said we could talk,” Herrera said, leaving the door open to a possible return. “It would be a dream to be able to end 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 be able to come back and end 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 discuss, being able to finish 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 looks back on his years in 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 goosebumps.” That goal, important in 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 continues to follow the Portuguese league, watching the highlights whenever his schedule allows, and stays in touch with friends at the club. He said he was “very happy” with the recent title win, considering it deserved. “They played very well for most of the championship. The FC Porto people are very happy with what they achieved,” he commented, thanking André Villas-Boas for the chance to watch the team’s matches in New York during the Club World Cup.

With 245 matches, 35 goals, and 28 assists for FC Porto, the Mexican international, who also holds Portuguese nationality, maintains a very close connection to the club. Regarding the current captain, Diogo Costa, Herrera was not surprised by the goalkeeper’s rise. “I’m not surprised. Ever since he was a kid, he showed a lot of quality and had a great future,” 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 favorites and the dilemma of a final against Mexico

In the same conversation, Herrera named 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 difficult to choose.

“A draw, right? [laughs] They’d split the trophy,” he joked, before acknowledging how complicated the decision would be. “Now seriously: I think a final between Mexico and Portugal would be very beautiful. But I love Mexico, it’s my country. But I’m also 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 are very good friends. He is an incredible person, and as a player he is top. He has shown a lot of quality in Mexico, I was a two-time Mexican champion with him,” he praised.

Herrera believes Paulinho may have deserved an opportunity with the Portuguese national team, although he acknowledges the strong competition. “I think he could have had an opportunity, but maybe earlier. But it’s also true that he is competing with players who play at the highest level, he himself talked about that,” he explained, adding that the forward is handling 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 ended up developing for Paulinho. “He was called up for a friendly there, for 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.