Theo Hernández - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Theo Bernard François Hernández was born on 6 October 1997, in Marseille, France. He is the younger brother of professional footballer Lucas Hernández. They grew up in an athletic family. Their father, Jean-François Hernandez, was also a professional footballer who played as a central defender for multiple clubs, including Marseille, Toulouse, and Atletico Madrid. Their upbringing was steeped heavily in football culture, which greatly influenced the brothers' interest and development in the sport.
Youth Career
Theo Hernández commenced his youth career when he joined Atletico Madrid's youth setup in 2008 at the young age of 11. Previously, he trained at Rayo Majadahonda's youth academy until 2007. At Atletico Madrid, he quickly demonstrated his potential, exhibiting advanced technical and tactical understanding for his age and impressing with his physical attributes.
Professional Career at Atletico Madrid
In the 2015-2016 season, Hernández progressed to Atletico Madrid's senior team. However, he did not make a league appearance for the club. Instead, he was sent on loan to Alavés for the 2016-2017 season, where he made a consistent string of strong performances, helping the club reach the Copa del Rey final and gaining widespread recognition as a promising talent.
Transfer to Real Madrid
Theo Hernández's time at Alavés caught the attention of several top teams across Europe, including rivals of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid. In the summer of 2017, Real Madrid signed him on a six-year contract for a reported fee of €24 million. Despite initial promise, Hernández's performances at Real Madrid did not live up to expectations, and he failed to win over the Madridista faithful, leading to a relatively unremarkable first season with the club. During his time at Real Madrid, he made 23 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Loan to Real Sociedad
Following his underwhelming performance at Real Madrid, Theo Hernández was sent out on loan to Real Sociedad for the 2018-2019 season. He featured regularly for the Basque club, allowing him to regain his confidence and showcase his abilities, delivering solid performances and demonstrating his pace, technical skill and strong crossing ability.
Transfer to AC Milan
In July 2019, AC Milan signed Hernández from Real Madrid for a fee of €20 million. It proved a successful move for the Frenchman as he swiftly became a key player for the Italian giants. He scored six goals in his first campaign, solidifying his position as one of Serie A's premier fullbacks. Known for his powerful runs from deep, scoring ability, and defensive tenacity, Hernández has continued to impress during his time at AC Milan.
International Career
Although born in France and eligible to represent them internationally, Hernández initially showed interest in representing Spain, having lived and played in the country for most of his life. However, he later decided to play for France and made his French U20 debut in March 2017. Despite his strong performances at club level, he made his senior international debut only in September 2020, against Ukraine.
Style of Play
Theo Hernández is a modern fullback known for his attacking instincts, blistering speed, and physical resilience. With a knack for scoring goals and providing assists, he is often a crucial component in offensive moves. Despite being a defender, he is also a potent threat in front of goal. Defensively, Hernández is strong in tackling and is adept at intercepting the ball. He also possesses good crossing ability, frequently delivering dangerous balls into the opposition's penalty area.
Achievements
Theo Hernández's career has seen him clinch several significant achievements. With Real Madrid, he won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2018. At AC Milan, Hernández has been a standout performer and was included in the Serie A Team of the Year for 2020.
