Ander Herrera ends goal drought with first strike for Boca Juniors
Ander Herrera has scored his first goal for Boca Juniors, ending a personal drought that had lasted for over four and a half years. The Spanish midfielder found the net in a 3-0 Copa Libertadores group stage victory over Sporting Club Barcelona on Tuesday, marking a significant personal milestone for the 36-year-old since his arrival at the Argentine giants in 2025. According to reports, Herrera's long-range effort took a slight deflection on its way in, securing the goal that had eluded him since September 2021.
Herrera's last official goal was scored for Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League match against Club Brugge. Following his departure from PSG, the defensive midfielder endured a 61-match spell at Athletic Club between 2022 and 2025 without registering a goal. The total span of 1,672 days without scoring underscores the significance of his strike in the continental competition for Boca.
The move to Boca Juniors represents a notable late-career shift for Herrera, who joined the Buenos Aires club on a permanent transfer last year after his contract with Athletic Club expired. While the specific financial terms were not disclosed, the transfer was finalized as a free agent signing, bringing his extensive European experience to the Argentine top flight. His career, which included notable spells at Manchester United and PSG before his return to Spain with Athletic, has taken a new direction in South America.
For Boca Juniors, acquiring a player of Herrera's pedigree and leadership qualities was seen as a strategic move to bolster their midfield with seasoned professionalism. His ability to control the tempo and contribute defensively has been valued, even as goalscoring had not been a primary expectation. His breakthrough goal in the Libertadores provides an added dimension to his contributions as Boca progresses in the tournament.
The context of the goal is further highlighted by its timing, coming just hours after his former club, PSG, secured their own place in the Champions League semi-finals. Herrera's successful adaptation to Argentine football and his ending of the prolonged drought will be welcomed by manager Diego MartÃnez as Boca aims to compete on multiple fronts this season. The goal adds a positive narrative to Herrera's South American chapter as he looks to cement his place in one of the continent's most historic clubs.
