FORMER Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has slammed influencers in football.
TikTokers have been spotted wearing the kits of several different teams – with Herrera saying their behaviour is “not the essence of football.”
Football supporters, particularly in Europe are growing frustrated with influencers having tickets to matches in order to record videos and make content – instead of support whoever’s playing.
In an interview with Spanish YouTube channel El Boro, Herrera said: “The other day I saw TikTokers, influencers at the Bernabeu.
“With all due respect to everyone, but for me, that’s not the essence of football, and everyone has the right to go to the stadium, but allow me to prefer the other way around.
“I like it when the grandfather goes with his grandson, and the two of them are singing in the stands, standing up.”
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He added: “Besides being a footballer, I’m a huge football fan. I grew up that way, and I like football like that.”
The Spaniard’s outburst comes after TikTok pair Marina Rivers and Lola Lolita were spotted at the Bernabeu for a LaLiga match last month.
Despite attending in a Real Madrid kit – Rivers, 23, has also been seen sporting the red and white stripes of city rivals Atletico Madrid.
She has also been spotted in a Juventus kit.
Rivers is a clear example of what Herrera evidently disapproves of in a football stadium.
Another Spanish influencer, Lucia Bellido also sparked controversy as she shared a post from the Camp Nou wearing a Barcelona jersey, having previously shared content wearing the white of fierce rivals Real Madrid.
Rivers and Lolita’s appearance at the Bernabeu caused the pair to receive a lot of criticism – Rivers hit back recently via her social media.
She said: “Apparently, on the list of things that bother men the most, seeing Lola and me at a Real Madrid match is number one. How could I even think of going to a match where I’m being invited… Am I crazy?”
She defended her passion for the game: “I watch the European Championship and the World Cup. I know which teams were relegated from the league last year. I know what the Champions League and the Copa del Rey are.
“And surprise, surprise, I know what offside is. I also know what a penalty is. I’ll tell you this even if it p***es you off, but they don’t give you a test when you enter the Bernabeu.”
She put her diverse shirt collection down to different family affiliations.
Despite Herrera’s reservations, it doesn’t seem that football influencers will go away – Rivers boasts a huge 7.9million followers on TikTok.
The Spaniard now plays his football in Argentina for Boca Juniors – he played for Man Utd for five years between 2015-2019.
His box-to-box style and versatility proved to serve United well as he became a mainstay in their midfield.
He won an FA Cup, a League Cup and the Europa League during his time in Manchester.
