Ander Herrera celebrates Boca's 2026 Annual Table title from Spain

Boca were crowned champions of the 2026 Annual Table after a hard fought 1-0 win over Defensa y Justicia, and the celebration crossed the Atlantic all the way to Zaragoza. Ander Herrera, who wore the Boca jersey in the first half of the year before returning to Spain, did not stay quiet and sent several messages to the fans who still consider him one of their own.

Zaragoza itself presented him with a commemorative plaque for the title won with Boca, a gesture that Herrera used as a chance to speak to the camera while wearing the shirt, reflecting on his memories there. "Thank you so much, bosteros, we are champions. I hope you celebrate a lot over there, you all deserve it. It was about time Boca won a title," he said, not hiding his emotion.

I feel like a small part of it, so a big hug to everyone. Come on Boca, and let's go Zaragoza, since today we also won the derbyAnder Herrera

That last part had its own parallel story: on the very same day Boca clinched the title, Zaragoza beat Huesca 2-0 in Primera Federacion, the third tier of Spanish soccer, in what for the maños fans is nothing less than the Aragonese derby. A double celebration for Herrera on the same day.

The Spanish midfielder did not stop at the message in Spanish. He also recorded a few words in English aimed at Boca fans around the world: "We are so happy today. It was a perfect day, we are champions, so enjoy it, you deserve it," he said, in a shorter version but with the same grateful spirit.

"The love you gave me will stay with me for the rest of my life"

It did not end there. Herrera joined Davoo Xeneize's stream and spoke at length and calmly about what his time at La Ribera meant to him. He talked about the affection he received, how impossible it is to respond to every message he gets, and even a pending dream: going to La Bombonera, but just as another fan in the stands.

Enjoy it, you deserve it. I'll be eternally grateful to you. I've said it a thousand times already, but I could say it for the rest of my life: the love you gave me will be something that stays with me forever. For me and for my family it is something incredibleAnder Herrera

"I can't answer every message I get, every once in a while I thank people one by one but it's hard because there are so many Boca fans that it's very complicated. I can't wait to go to La Bombonera as a fan, to live what a matchday is like in La Boca without being a player. I carry the name of Boca with pride around the rest of the world, and I will always be able to say with pride that I played for Boca and that I became champion with Boca. A big hug to everyone and come on Boca always," the Spaniard closed.

Herrera played 9 matches in the 2026 Apertura before his return to Zaragoza, but those appearances were enough for his name to be tied to the Annual Table, since that standings table adds up every result from the calendar year. He is not the only case: players such as Edinson Cavani, Exequiel Zeballos, Juan Barinaga, Marcelo Weigandt, Lucas Janson, Iker Zufiaurre, Gonzalo Gelini and Kevin Zenon also left the club midseason, all of them part of a squad that ended up celebrating without them on the field, but with them in the history of the title.