The return is a bid to relive a familiar joy, to close a circle, and to feel truly at home. It is a longing to recapture that magic moment when a room opens its arms, respect is earned, and love is given in abundance. Even as the days bring tougher training and a locker room that shows its years, the pull to be somewhere meaningful remains strong. The sense of belonging makes the rest fade into the background.
Míchel Herrero describes his decision with clarity. When he left the team, he believed the day would come again to wear the Hercules jersey. That day arrived. He received higher offers from top clubs, yet his priority shifted toward his family’s well‑being. He sensed he would return home, hand in hand with a friend of the sponsor who had supported him in the Hercules locker room a decade earlier, underscoring the significance of this new blue and white project.
“Since leaving Alicante, I knew I would wear the Hercules jersey again. I always felt like a fan.”
Herrero thrives on challenge and takes pride in becoming the team’s key contributor on the field. He feels the weight of responsibility in a group that benefits from everyone giving their best. He sees a talented mix of young players and accepts the pressure that comes with leadership, while noting the need for teammates to share the load. The atmosphere around him was warm and supportive as journalists and fans gathered to hear his remarks.
3,700 SUBSCRIBERS
They secure their passes five days after the home debut
In the absence of last minute footage, Hercules reports around 4,000 subscribers just before Herrero’s official presentation. Last season, still in the Second RFEF, card sales reached around 6,000 in the second round.
A crowd of about 150 gathered at Rico Pérez for the welcome. The club has long been known across Spain for its strong support, and Herrero expressed deep affection for Hercules. He spoke of conversations with colleagues who asked whether joining a fourth‑tier squad was wise, and he replied that he would play football for a team he never quit. The fans, ever present, reflected the simple truth that family and belonging take priority over all else in this moment of his life.
A Moment with Enrique Ortiz
Herrero shared that he was surprised when a doorbell rang at his Valencia home and he met Enrique Ortiz in person. Ortiz urged him to join, insisting the decision would be worthwhile. The support came from Paco Peña, whose ongoing calls and guidance helped shape the contract through June 2024. Herrero emphasized that this moment of care from colleagues and mentors mattered deeply.
“I received stronger offers in both level and pay, but family priorities came first.”
Life has shifted for Herrero with the addition of a family and a daughter. He views Hercules as his preferred project and aims to contribute both on and off the pitch. He reflects on his time in Alicante, arriving as a young player and leaving as a seasoned professional. If given a choice, he would prefer to stay close to the region, dedicating extra time after practice to build familiarity with the ball and the field. His goal is to be 100 percent as soon as possible and to avoid any wasted minutes.
Michel, blue and white through 2024
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