Herrera: 90% of Boca s youth training children come from poor families Yamal is the closest player to Messi

Recently, 36-year-old Spanish midfielder Herrera, who played for Boca youth, was interviewed on an online podcast. During this period, he compared the growth environment of young European and Argentina players and shared some stories from his career. Herrera joined Boca in January this year, but did not receive continuous playing time due to injury. Herrera began her career in Zaragoza, where he has played for Bilbao, Manchester United and Paris.

Several differences between South America and European players

"Young people here are under tremendous pressure, much more stress than children in Europe. Because here, your brother, cousin or uncle may ask you for rent or other expenses. The children here have already considered how to support their families and how to get their families out of poverty at the age of 15."

Shocking stories

"I often talk to the psychologist at the club, and she told me that 85% to 90% of the children in the Boca Youth Training Camp live in poor families. One of them sometimes doesn't go to train because he wants to pick up waste boxes with his parents to make a living. Imagine the pressure these children are under, eager to change their destiny and their family through football."

Reflection

"This is ultimately a matter of culture. We are lucky, and I am grateful every day. Many times we don’t realize our luck and don’t know the opportunities we have, such as educational opportunities and parental support. Although there are exceptions, usually our parents attach great importance to the achievements we have in hard work. "

Education

" Some children are gifted, but their fathers either don’t raise them well, are busy with work and have no time to take care of, or have no job at all. These children come from a less ideal environment and are not properly guided and educated. Many times we blame these children, but it’s not fair because they are not influenced by a good education or role model. "

First salary

"When a child buys a car with his first salary, I think it’s a mistake, but how can I blame him? When I signed the first important contract, I bought a house, and I think it’s the most important thing Love. I applied for a youth mortgage, bought a house, and paid off the loan with the second salary. For those who bought Mercedes-Benz on their first salary, I would tell them, you can't sleep in the car, right? I don't blame them because they came from an environment without role models, and suddenly they had money and wanted to wear brand-name clothes and drive the best car, but they didn't realize that injuries might come at any time and everything would end. "

Forged a deep friendship with Di Maria

"It's so lucky to be with him. He comes from a very poor family, but he is not only talented, but also very hardworking. In Argentina, football has completely changed their lives. It's a total way out for them and their families."

Boca

"I didn't come to Boca out of need, I came to Boca because I like it, there is no more abundant in the world than Boca The passionate club is, the atmosphere of the Candy Box Stadium is unique. My father often comes to Argentina and I remember he brought me the jerseys of Boca when he was a kid. I was very impressed by the color of Boca, and when I was at Manchester United, I was asked, I said that if I had the chance, I would only play for Boca in Argentina. I hope that when I retired, I could say that I had played in the biggest club. "

Belsa

"I used to be under Bielsa He's a crazy person who studies opponents, and we'll watch hours of videos. We'll even analyze players who don't play, even those who haven't been drafted. It's crazy, he's the coach who has the biggest influence on me, he's the most special person I've ever seen in football. He has an extraordinary vision and knows every thought you have in the game. "

Luxury

"I bought a Porsche Carrera GT, but I'm embarrassed to drive it. I always sneaked when I go to Biba's training base, and I sold it three months later. To me, keeping life comfortable is the greatest luxury. I won't spend €40,000 to buy a Rolex watch, nor do I buy a Lamborghini or squander money in a casino. I will spend money, but I won't spend money indiscriminately."

Yamar

"Yamar is the closest young player I've ever seen to Messi, both in age and in the way of starting his career. At the age of 17, he has become a key player in Barcelona. Barcelona is a combination of Yamal plus the remaining ten people, he is unique, but the hardest thing is to keep it that way. "