IN FOCUS: Sebastián Herrera
Sebastián Herrera is currently going through one of the most beautiful periods of his career.
Since the start of the season, our “Hera” has been playing in his recognizable, fighting rhythm that made him a fan favorite, becoming an indispensable part of Vinko Marinović’s team.
His excellent performances in recent matches were crowned with a moment of brilliance at Grbavica Stadium, which brought us three points in the clash against our long-time rival. As a reward for everything he has shown on the pitch, Herrera also received a call-up from head coach Goce Sedloski, who included him in the North Macedonia national team squad for the upcoming World Cup playoff matches.
“It’s a great period for me, but also for the whole team. We played another excellent match at Grbavica, and after that, the defeat of our main title rival also worked in our favor. A nine-point lead is a solid advantage for the rest of the season, where our goal is to win the championship title. Regarding the match at Grbavica, I believe we were the better team and should have decided the winner in the first half. Later on, they found their rhythm and had a few half-chances, but it turned out that we secured the win in the sweetest possible way – with a goal in the 90th minute. Of course, I’m happy to have decided the derby, but what matters most is that we earned three new points,” Herrera said.
The free-kick masterpiece he delivered is one of the most beautiful moments of the season so far.
“I didn’t have many options. It wasn’t the ideal position for a direct shot on goal, but I decided to try, and it paid off. This is one of my favorite goals in my career, if not the favorite, considering the importance of the match, the atmosphere, and the final moments when everything is decided. You saw how we celebrated – that says enough about how much this victory meant to us. I also tried to score from a free kick in the first half, but their goalkeeper reacted well. In the end, I managed to outsmart him, and I’m really happy about that,” Herrera added.
“I want to thank our fans from the bottom of my heart for their support. Once again, they proved their motto ‘love travels miles,’ and they are truly a great strength for us wherever we play. I also think more attention should be paid to allowing away fans to attend matches and stay until the very end. It may sound like a cliché, but it’s true – football is played for the fans, and it’s always better when you feel their support from the stands. Thanks to all our supporters who come to the City Stadium as well. I hope we will win the championship and celebrate this great anniversary together with a new trophy,” said Herrera.
Everything within the team is focused on achieving the main goal in a year marking the club’s centenary.
“In my opinion, we have shown that we have the highest-quality team in the league. We suffered some unexpected defeats, but even in those matches, we could have easily come out on top. We regret the early elimination from the BiH Cup and European competitions, but I believe we have made up for that with strong performances in the league. We have a great team, both in terms of quality and character. We all breathe as one and are highly motivated to bring the championship title back to Banja Luka. This club and this city deserve it. I often catch myself thinking about the title celebration and how our fans would bring the whole city to life. Still, we remain grounded and take it step by step. There’s no room for relaxation or euphoria. The league is competitive, and every match for us is like a final,” Herrera emphasized.
Sebastián will also become the sixth foreign player to wear the North Macedonia national team jersey. He sees the call-up from coach Goce Sedloski as a great honor and says he is ready to fight for his place in the national team.
“I’m grateful to the coach for including me in the squad, and I’m ready to repay his trust with my commitment and attitude toward the jersey and crest we represent. North Macedonia is my second home. That’s where I developed as a player, made many friends, met my wife, and learned the language and customs. I know that ‘foreign players’ are always expected to bring extra quality, and I’m ready for that challenge. Being called up to the national team is a great honor, and I’m proud to represent it,” Herrera said.
His time in North Macedonia has a special place in his heart, but everything he has experienced – and will continue to experience – in Banja Luka will stay with him forever.
“I will never be able to find the right words to thank Borac and Banja Luka. This is where I revived my football career. From day one, I have felt at home here. Everyone accepted me as if I were born in this city. It was up to me to show, through my performances on and off the pitch, that I deserve to be part of this story. I’m always happy to hear kind words from fans on the street – they motivate me to be even better and give everything for this jersey. Banja Luka is a beautiful city. My daughter took her first steps here, and we’ve created the most wonderful family memories. We will carry Banja Luka in our hearts forever,” Herrera concluded.
