Atletico Madrid defender Theo Hernandez has been in the headlines lately because he is poised to make the jump across town to sign for great rivals Real.
At just 19 years old, he is regarded as one of the most promising defenders of his age around the world, having broken through with Deportivo Alaves on loan over the course of the last season.
He appears set for a big future at the Bernabeu but faces the mental challenge of stepping up to a club even bigger than Atleti in the coming months. On the field, he has shown himself to be a more than capable performer, but away from it, he still has questions to answer over his attitude and application.
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Here are five things you did not know about the left-back touted to be Marcelo’s replacement in the years to come:
#5 His father was a professional footballer
It’s quite a well-known fact that Theo’s brother, Lucas, has blazed a trail for him at Atletico Madrid by becoming an established player in Diego Simeone’s defence. Like his brother, he is left footed, although prefers to play as a modern full-back. However, his father, Jean-Francois, was also a professional with Atleti.
A centre-back, he played one season at the Vicente Calderon from 2000-01. He was most noted for his spells at Toulouse and with Rayo Vallecano in Spain. He was never a truly top player and spent much of his career flitting between the top two divisions in France and Spain.
#4 Theo has played for Atleti since he was 10
Although Theo and Lucas were both born in Marseille when their father was playing for OM, they were very young when they moved to Spain – the younger brother was nothing more than a baby. As a result, both have been brought through the Spanish system, with Theo signing for Atletico Madrid in 2008.
As a result, he has been at Atletico Madrid since he was only 10 years old, working his way through the youth teams all the while. Remarkably, though, he has never played for Atleti’s starting XI, having been forced to settle for reserve and youth-level football throughout his stay. Nevertheless, he is valued at around €30 million.
#3 His girlfriend has caused quite a commotion
Theo is a player who seems to enjoy a touch of controversy, and there can be little doubt that there will be more than a bit of that about should he complete his move to Madrid – not least because his girlfriend has made her thoughts towards Los Blancos known.
In an Instagram post that has since been deleted, Adriano Pozueco, a 22-year-old journalism student, said: “My mum made me pretty, smart and anti-Madridista.”
That post may have vanished, but many proclaiming her love for Atleti still remain. It’s sure to make for some interesting discussions should her boyfriend complete his move across town.
#2 Theo once skipped international duty to visit the beach
Although Theo has spent his career playing for France’s youth teams – he has played from Under-18 level through to U20 level – he has caused controversy over the course of the last week by snubbing the Under-21 side.
Head coach Sylvain Ripoll had expected him to show for training on May 31, but it quickly emerged via social media that the player had instead elected to visit the beaches of Marbella with team-mate Carlos Viragay.
It now seems probable that he will switch international allegiance from France to Spain. Julen Lopetegui, boss of La Roja, did not rule out the possibility when quizzed over it this week, though he did note that the player will have to secure Spanish citizenship before it is possible.
#1 He and Lucas could break a record that has stood for nearly 90 years
Should Theo complete his move to Real Madrid, as seems likely, the odds would be on him and his brother crossing swords in the derby. The last time that two brothers faced off against each other in that particular encounter was 1929-30, when Atleti won 2-1 at home, with Alfonso Olaso on their side and Luis Olaso playing for the visitors.
That is the only occasion that two siblings have come face-to-face in the Spanish capital’s premier match up.
In the 1980s, Paco Llorente and Julio Llorente played for the two clubs, but never at the same time. Fittingly, Paco’s son, Marcos, plays with Alaves on loan from Madrid.
