1. Early Life and Youth Career
Théo Hernandez's journey in football began early, influenced by his family's deep roots in the sport.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Born on October 6, 1997, in Marseille, France, Théo is the younger brother of fellow professional footballer Lucas Hernandez. Their father, Jean-François Hernandez, was also a professional footballer, having played as a centre-back for Atlético Madrid. Théo moved to Spain at the age of two, where he would later begin his formal football training.
1.2. Youth Career
Hernandez started his youth football career at CF Rayo Majadahonda from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, or 2008 according to some sources, at the age of nine or ten, he joined the academy of Atlético Madrid. He steadily progressed through the youth categories at Atlético Madrid, showcasing his talent and developing his skills. By the summer of 2015, he was promoted to the club's reserve team, Atlético Madrid B, which competed in the Tercera División. He made his senior international debut on August 30, 2015, playing for Atlético Madrid B in a 4-3 victory against CD Puerta Bonita.
2. Club Career
Théo Hernandez's professional club career began in Spain and has seen him play for several major European teams, culminating in significant success in Italy.
2.1. Atlético Madrid
After his promotion to the reserves in the summer of 2015, Hernandez continued his development within the Atlético Madrid system. On February 3, 2016, he renewed his contract with the club. Just two days later, he received his first call-up to the senior team for a La Liga match against SD Eibar due to injuries within the squad. However, he remained an unused substitute in Atlético Madrid's 3-1 home victory. Despite his call-up, he did not make a competitive first-team appearance for Atlético Madrid before being loaned out.
2.2. Deportivo Alavés (loan)
On August 4, 2016, Théo Hernandez extended his contract with Atlético Madrid until 2021 and was immediately loaned to fellow La Liga club Deportivo Alavés for a one-year spell. He made his professional debut later that month, starting in a 0-0 home draw against Sporting de Gijón on August 28.
On October 16, 2016, Hernandez received a straight red card in a 1-1 home draw against Málaga CF following a forceful tackle on Ignacio Camacho. His first professional goal came on May 7, 2017, when he scored the only goal in a home victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Hernandez played a crucial role as a regular starter during Alavés's historic run in the Copa del Rey. He helped the Basque team reach the final for the first time in their 91-year history. In the decisive match on May 27, 2017, he scored the equalizer with a direct free kick in an eventual 1-3 loss against FC Barcelona.
2.3. Real Madrid
On July 5, 2017, Théo Hernandez made a controversial transfer to Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal after the club met his release clause of 24.00 M EUR. Some sources reported the transfer fee as high as 28.00 M EUR. This move was particularly notable and generated significant discussion, often referred to as a "forbidden transfer," as it was rare for players to move directly between the fierce rivals Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, with an unwritten agreement often perceived to be in place to prevent such direct transfers. Atlético Madrid expressed their displeasure regarding the transfer, and Hernandez had reportedly rejected a new contract offer from Atlético in favor of the move.
He made his competitive debut for Real Madrid on August 16, replacing Marco Asensio in a 2-0 home win against FC Barcelona in the 2017 Supercopa de España. During the 2017-18 campaign, Hernandez made three appearances, contributing to Real Madrid's third consecutive and 13th overall title in the competition.
2.4. Real Sociedad (loan)
On August 10, 2018, Hernandez was loaned to Real Sociedad for a season, as Real Madrid acquired Ferland Mendy, indicating he was not part of the club's immediate plans. He played 24 league matches for Real Sociedad, scoring one goal during his loan spell. Upon his return to Real Madrid, it became clear that he was still not a central part of their plans, leading to reports of another potential transfer.
2.5. AC Milan
On July 7, 2019, Hernandez joined Serie A club AC Milan in a deal worth a maximum of 20.00 M EUR. The transfer was notably approved and facilitated by Paolo Maldini, who met with Hernandez informally in Ibiza to persuade him to join the Italian club.
He made his debut for Milan on September 21, playing 18 minutes in a 2-0 defeat against Inter Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. His first goal for the *Rossoneri* came on October 5, when he helped his team come from behind to win 2-1 against Genoa. In his inaugural season with Milan (2019-20), he scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists across all competitions. On January 17, 2020, he broke Kakha Kaladze's record for most goals by a Milan full-back, scoring his fifth goal of the season against Udinese.
2.5.1. Key Moments and Records
On December 23, 2020, Hernandez's 93rd-minute winning goal secured a dramatic victory for AC Milan over Lazio, helping them maintain their position at the top of Serie A. During the 2020-21 season, he was the only defender across Europe's top five leagues to score two braces and recorded the most successful dribbles in Serie A with 73. He concluded his second season with Milan, having scored 8 goals and contributed 7 assists in all competitions.
On January 6, 2022, Hernandez wore the captain's armband for AC Milan for the first time in a match against Roma. Three days later, he netted a brace in a 3-0 win against Venezia, becoming the first defender in AC Milan's Serie A history to score at least three braces. His strong performances led to him renewing his contract with Milan until 2026 on February 11.
On May 15, 2022, in a match against Atalanta, Hernandez scored a memorable goal after an impressive 312 ft (95 m) solo dribble, contributing to a 2-0 victory. A week later, Milan clinched their first Serie A title in 11 years, largely owing to Hernandez's contributions of 5 goals and 6 assists, making him the highest-contributing defender in Serie A that season. His goal against Atalanta was later recognized as the Serie A Goal of the Month for May 2022 and the Serie A Goal of the Season for 2021-22.
On October 25, 2023, Hernandez faced his older brother, Lucas Hernandez, for the first time as an opponent in competitive senior football during a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Paris Saint-Germain, which Milan lost 3-0. The brothers faced each other again two weeks later, with Milan winning 2-1 at home, and Théo assisting Olivier Giroud's winning goal.
Amidst an injury crisis in Milan's central defense, Hernandez volunteered to play as a centre-back for the first time in his senior career on December 2, 2023. His performance in the 3-1 victory against Frosinone earned high praise from the Italian football media. He also won the AC Milan Best Goal of the 2022-23 Season award.
On September 27, 2024, Hernandez scored his 29th goal in Serie A, contributing to a 3-0 win against Lecce. This goal equaled Paolo Maldini's record for most Serie A goals by an AC Milan defender and was celebrated by the club and Maldini himself on social media.
His 27th birthday, October 6, 2024, saw a controversial game in Florence against Fiorentina, which Milan lost 2-1. During the first half, Hernandez conceded a penalty (which was saved by Mike Maignan) and then missed a penalty himself, with his shot saved by David de Gea. In the second half, he assisted Christian Pulisic's equalizing goal with a curling cross from the left and nearly caused another penalty for a risky tackle inside Milan's box, though the referee ultimately decided against it after a video review. The match ended with Hernandez receiving a red card for arguing with the referee after the final whistle, leading to a subsequent two-game suspension.
On January 14, 2025, he scored his 30th Serie A goal for Milan in a 2-1 away victory over Como, officially surpassing Paolo Maldini's previous record to become the club's highest-scoring defender in Serie A.
3. International Career
Théo Hernandez has represented France at various youth levels and has become an integral part of the senior national team.
3.1. Youth National Teams
Hernandez played for several French youth national teams, including the France U-18 team (4 appearances, 0 goals), the France U-19 team (9 appearances, 0 goals), and the France U-20 team (3 appearances, 1 goal). While there was speculation that he might pursue an international career with Spain due to his brother Lucas Hernandez also playing as a left-back, he ultimately chose to represent France at the senior level.
3.2. Senior National Team
Théo Hernandez received his first call-up to the France senior squad on April 26, 2018. He made his debut on September 7, 2021, starting and playing the entire game in a 2-0 home victory against Finland in a World Cup qualifier.
In October 2021, ahead of the UEFA Nations League semi-finals against Belgium, Théo and his brother Lucas were both called up to the national team by coach Didier Deschamps. They were fielded together in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Lucas playing as a left centre-back and Théo as a left wing-back, marking the first time they played together in a senior competitive match. On October 7, Théo scored a crucial late-time winner in a 3-2 victory against Belgium, sending his team to the final for the first time in the tournament's history. France went on to win the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.
In November 2022, Hernandez was named in France's final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In France's opening group match against Australia on November 22, he came on as a substitute in the ninth minute after Lucas suffered an injury. He immediately made an impact by assisting Adrien Rabiot's equalizing goal. In the second group match against Denmark, he again provided an assist for Kylian Mbappé's goal. On December 14, he scored a goal in a 2-0 win over Morocco in the semi-finals, helping France reach the World Cup final. France eventually finished as runners-up in the tournament.
In June 2024, he was named in the squad for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. In their quarter-final match against Portugal on July 5, he scored the winning penalty kick in the shoot-out, sending his country into the next round.
He was also part of France's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers. In March 2023, he was selected to face Netherlands and Ireland. He started in both matches, receiving a yellow card against the Netherlands and having a shot blocked against Ireland. He was subsequently included in the squads for matches against Gibraltar and Greece in June 2023, and again for matches against Ireland and Germany in September 2023.
4. Playing Style
Théo Hernandez is renowned for his dynamic and offensive playing style, primarily as a left-back. His key strengths include exceptional speed, which allows him to make powerful runs down the flank, and his strong dribbling ability, enabling him to bypass defenders effectively. Beyond his defensive duties, Hernandez is a significant attacking threat, known for his goal-scoring prowess. He consistently contributes to his team's offense through crucial goals, assists, and deep runs, making him a versatile and impactful player who influences both ends of the pitch.
5. Personal Life
Théo Hernandez comes from a footballing family. His father, Jean-François Hernandez, was a professional centre-back who also played for Atlético Madrid. His older brother, Lucas Hernandez, is also a professional footballer and defender, who played for Paris Saint-Germain and also came through the Atlético Madrid academy.
In 2022, the French newspaper L'Équipe reported that Jean-François, who had been missing since 2004, was living in Thailand. It was alleged that his ex-partner had legally prevented him from seeing his children.
Hernandez has been in a relationship with Italian model Zoe Cristofoli since June 2020. Their son was born on April 8, 2022. On his son's first birthday on April 7, 2023, Hernandez posted a celebratory message on Instagram, which unfortunately drew malicious comments from fans of SSC Napoli, AC Milan's opponents in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, targeting both him and his son.
In 2022, a notable incident involving Hernandez's dog occurred. His American Pit Bull Terrier reportedly attacked and killed a neighbor's dog and also bit the neighbor. The victim indicated an intention to take legal action.
6. Reception and Legacy
6.1. Honours and Achievements
Théo Hernandez has amassed a significant collection of titles and individual accolades throughout his career at various clubs and with the national team.
Alavés
- Copa del Rey runner-up: 2016-17
Real Madrid
- Supercopa de España: 2017
- UEFA Champions League: 2017-18
- UEFA Super Cup: 2017
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2017
AC Milan
- Serie A: 2021-22
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2024-25
France
- UEFA Nations League: 2020-21
- FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2022
Individual
- AC Milan Player of the Season: 2019-20
- AC Milan Best Goal of the Season: 2022-23
- Serie A Team of the Year: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23
- Serie A Goal of the Month: May 2022, May 2023
- Serie A Goal of the Season: 2021-22
- ESM Team of the Season: 2022-23
6.2. Criticisms and Controversies
Théo Hernandez's career has also seen a few controversial moments. His transfer to Real Madrid from rival club Atlético Madrid in 2017 was widely dubbed a "forbidden transfer" and caused significant friction between the two clubs due to their intense rivalry and an unofficial agreement not to sign each other's players directly.
In a personal incident in 2022, his American Pit Bull Terrier reportedly bit a neighbor and killed the neighbor's dog, leading to potential legal action. Furthermore, after his son's first birthday in April 2023, Hernandez received online harassment from fans of SSC Napoli, which was considered cyberbullying directed at him and his family.
More recently, on his 27th birthday in October 2024, a Serie A match against Fiorentina turned controversial. Hernandez conceded a penalty, missed a penalty, and received a red card for arguing with the referee after the game, resulting in a two-game suspension.
7. Career Statistics
7.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Atlético Madrid B | 2015-16 | Tercera División | 9 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| Alavés (loan) | 2016-17 | La Liga | 32 | 1 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 38 | 2 | ||
| Real Madrid | 2017-18 | La Liga | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Real Sociedad (loan) | 2018-19 | La Liga | 24 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 1 | ||
| AC Milan | 2019-20 | Serie A | 33 | 6 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 36 | 7 | ||
| 2020-21 | Serie A | 33 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | - | 45 | 8 | ||
| 2021-22 | Serie A | 32 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 41 | 5 | ||
| 2022-23 | Serie A | 32 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 4 | |
| 2023-24 | Serie A | 32 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | - | 46 | 5 | ||
| 2024-25 | Serie A | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 4 | |
| Total | 185 | 30 | 13 | 1 | 47 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 248 | 33 | ||
| Career total | 263 | 32 | 29 | 2 | 50 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 347 | 36 | ||
7.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 2021 | 4 | 1 |
| 2022 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | |
| Total | 36 | 2 | |
Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hernandez goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 October 2021 | Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy | 2 | Belgium | 3-2 | 3-2 | 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals |
| 2 | 14 December 2022 | Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar | 12 | Morocco | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup |