Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has explained why he is currently playing for free after rejoining boyhood club Real Zaragoza. The 37-year-old, who earned £22m during his five-year spell at Old Trafford and a further £31m at PSG, is donating his £5,500 weekly wage to the club's foundation.
Herrera's emotional reason for giving back
Appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Herrera explained why he is giving up his time and skills for free. He said: "I have a lot to thank to this club, to these people. Because without Real Zaragoza, I would probably never been a professional player."
"And now, in a difficult moment of the club, I think we all, we the fans, we have the responsibility to help the team and the club. And I feel so proud of my career. I feel so proud about what I have achieved in terms of football and also in terms of money. So, I don’t need it. I wanted to play for free. I wanted to help for free."
"At home, my city, where I grew up, and hopefully, as I told you before, helping the club to come back to professional football."
Ferdinand's dig at Manchester City
Ferdinand took the chance to have a shot at Manchester City, breaking up the discussion with: "Yeah, and it's crazy. In a world where Man City have these charges hanging over their head, it's so good to hear about a gesture like this still in the game of football."
Herrera continued: "But I think we also have to give something back to football, you know, and I wanted to do this because I am not only a professional football player, I am also a football fan and I love what I do. And one day, probably soon, when I am retired, I want to feel proud of what I have done during my career."
Zaragoza's current standing
Zaragoza fell out of the professional football league in May due to a decade of financial mismanagement and legal scandals, which included a match-fixing investigation. The six-time Copa del Rey champions sit top of Group B in the Primera Federacion, with five wins from their opening seven matches.
