Ander Herrera labels Super League plans ‘the rich stealing what the people created’

Manchester United star Bruno Feranandes has become the most high-profile player to speak out against plans for a European Super League, saying ‘dreams cannot be bought’. 

The Red Devils were one of 12 teams to sensationally announce their own new breakaway tournament which will eclipse UEFA’s Champions League that will start ‘as soon as is practicable’.

The twelve teams, which include all of England’s Big Six clubs, will be part of a mega-rich league that will see 15 out of the 20 competing sides automatically qualify for the competition on a yearly basis.

Bruno Fernandes has become the most high-profile player to speak out against the new European Super League plans

Fernandes said 'dreams can't be bought' referring to the Super League's large participation fee

Fernandes said ‘dreams can’t be bought’ referring to the Super League’s large participation fee

Wolves player Daniel Podence posted an emotional post slamming the talks, with Fernandes sharing the winger’s post and captioned it, ‘Dreams cannot be buy (bought).’

Podence’s original post read: ‘The Ball. The Song. The Dream. The Zidane’s (sic) volley… Kaka’s solo… Liverpool in Athens… Ole in Barcelona… Cris and Seedorf

‘There some things we just can’t really pay for it.’ 

Wolves winger Daniel Podence put out an emotional opposition to the Super League plans

Wolves winger Daniel Podence put out an emotional opposition to the Super League plans

Former United midfielder Ander Herrera, who now plays for PSG – one of the major clubs to not sign up to the proposals as of yet – has also spoken out against the new breakaway tournament. 

The former Manchester United man took to Twitter on Monday to criticise the plans, saying they are ‘the rich stealing what the people created’.

Other players, such as former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, Mesut Ozil and Yannick Bolasie have also slated the plans that are proving unprecedentedly unpopular.

PSG midfielder Ander Herrera also spoke out against the proposed Super League plans

PSG midfielder Ander Herrera also spoke out against the proposed Super League plans

Herrera took to Twitter on Monday to slam the moves that 'steal what the people created'

Herrera took to Twitter on Monday to slam the moves that ‘steal what the people created’

Herrera, whose PSG side have not yet joined the plans but could still do so, wrote on Twitter: ‘I fell in love with popular football, with the football of the fans, with the dream of seeing the team of my heart compete against the greatest.

‘If this European super league advances, those dreams are over, the illusions of the fans of the teams that are not giants of being able to win on the field competing in the best competitions will end.

‘I love football and I cannot remain silent about this, I believe in an improved Champions League, but not in the rich stealing what the people created, which is nothing other than the most beautiful sport on the planet.’

Lovren, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2019 and currently plays for Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, wrote on Twitter: ‘Football will be in the near future on a brink of complete collapse. 

‘Nobody is thinking about the bigger picture, only the financial side. I still believe we can solve this unpleasant situation.’

And when Lovren was asked why other big names hadn’t spoken up like he and Herrera, he said: ‘They are still sleeping.’ 

Dejan Lovren, a Premier League and Champions League winner at Liverpool, dismissed the plans that his old club are a central part of

Dejan Lovren, a Premier League and Champions League winner at Liverpool, dismissed the plans that his old club are a central part of

Mesut Ozil was dismissive of the idea, saying a Super League doesn't compare to a World Cup

Mesut Ozil was dismissive of the idea, saying a Super League doesn’t compare to a World Cup

Former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014 and now plays for Fenerbahce, said on Twitter: ‘Kids grow up dreaming to win the World Cup and the Champions League – not any Super League. 

‘The enjoyment of big games is that they only happen once or twice a year, not every week. Really hard to understand for all football fans out there…’

Bolasie, meanwhile, wrote: ‘Some real mercenaries…all values and history thrown out the window.

‘I was a fan before I played football, I’m a fan now and will be after I finish playing…it’s not about me or anyone else it’s about the millions of fans who follow there teams week in week out regardless of success/riches..funny how it starts getting more level & man jump.’ 

Speaking back in November, Toni Kroos hit out at how the modern game was being reshaped by FIFA and UEFA and was critical of the then mooted Super League plan.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has previously slated plans to form a Super League

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has previously slated plans to form a Super League

He said on the podcast ‘Einfach bad Luppen’: ‘Unfortunately, we did not decide as players. We are just puppets of FIFA and UEFA . If there was a players’ union, we would not play a Nations League or a Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

‘These competitions try to absorb everything financially, also to squeeze the players physically. But I am a big fan of leaving things like that when they go well. The Leagues are already top along with the Champions League, the World Cup.

‘From a sporting point of view, it would certainly be interesting because there would only be high-level matches. But the gap between the big clubs and small it will expand even more. Not always everything has to be more, faster, more and more money.’