Pablo Hernández (footballer, born 1986)

Pedro Pablo Hernández (born 24 October 1986) is an Argentine-born Chilean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for San Martín de Tucumán.

Pablo Hernández
Hernández with Chile at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
Personal information
Full namePedro Pablo Hernández
Date of birth (1986-10-24) 24 October 1986 (age 37)
Place of birthTucumán, Argentina
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)Midfielder
Team information
Current team
San Martín Tucumán
Youth career
UTA[1]
0000–2005Racing Club
2005–2006Atlético Tucumán
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2006–2008Atlético Tucumán35(12)
2008–2009Racing Montevideo15(2)
2009–2011Defensor Sporting14(3)
2010DC United (loan)14(0)
2011–2013Argentinos Juniors64(4)
2013–2014O'Higgins29(11)
2014–2018Celta Vigo118(7)
2018–2021Independiente40(3)
2021–2023O'Higgins57(7)
2024–San Martín Tucumán0(0)
International career
2014–2019Chile30(3)
Medal record
Representing  Chile
WinnerCopa América Centenario2016
Runner-upFIFA Confederations Cup2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 January 2024

Club career

Argentina and Uruguay

Born in Tucumán, Hernández moved to Buenos Aires at early age, and subsequently joined Racing Club's youth setup.[2] He was released in 2005, aged 19, and returned to his hometown. After failing in a trial at San Martín de Tucumán, Hernández moved to Atlético Tucumán. He made his senior debuts in 2006, and moved abroad two years later, joining Racing Montevideo.

On 7 August 2009 Hernández moved to Defensor Sporting.[3] He made his debut on the 23rd, starting in a 5–1 home routing over Atenas de San Carlos, and scored his first goal roughly a month later, netting the last of a 4–0 win at Central Español.

Major League Soccer

On 1 July 2010, D.C. United officially announced the loan signing of Hernández from Uruguayan club Defensor Sporting, after he trialed with the club.[4] Despite being a regular starter for DC United, he rescinded his link on 7 January of the following year,[5] and moved to Argentinos Juniors late in the month.[6]

O'Higgins

In July 2013 Hernández joined O'Higgins, as a replacement for Universidad de Chile-bound Juan Rodrigo Rojas.[7] He was a part of the side which won the campaign's Apertura tournament, scoring seven goals in 18 matches, including the historical goal in the final against Universidad Católica.[8]

Hernández appeared with the side in 2014 Copa Libertadores, appearing in all matches as his side were knocked out in the group stages.[9]

Celta de Vigo

On 26 June 2014, Hernández moved teams and countries again, after agreeing to a four-year deal with La Liga side Celta de Vigo,[10] for an 1.6 million fee.[11] He made his debut for the club on 30 August, replacing Nolito in the 85th minute of a 1–1 away draw against Córdoba CF.[12]

Hernández scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football on 20 September, netting the first of a 2–2 away draw against Atlético Madrid.[13]

Independiente

On 4 July 2018, Hernández returned to his natal Argentina and signed with Independiente.[14]

Return to O'Higgins

In July 2021, Hernández returned to Chilean side O'Higgins after ending his contract with Independiente.[15] After two and a half seasons with them, he retired from professional football at the end of the 2023 season.[16]

San Martín de Tucumán

In 2024, he returned to professional football by signing with San Martín de Tucumán in his city of birth.[17][1]

International career

Eligibility

Since Hernández has Chilean Citizenship through Jus sanguinis principles in December 2013, he is eligible to play for Chile. Hernández was born in Argentina and is an Argentine citizen; he thus had the choice of either playing for Chile or Argentina.[18]

When asked about his choice in a 2013 interview, he stated:

I feel Chilean largely. During my first year I lived with my grandmother. I have a great affection despite the short time I've been in Rancagua. It was up the possibility for blood right and thank God, yesterday (Tuesday), I received my documents formalizing and dual nationality.

— Hernández speaking about his switch of allegiance.[19]

Chile call-up

He then was called up by Jorge Sampaoli to represent his new country's main squad in a friendly against Costa Rica.[20] He made his international debut on 22 January 2014, scoring the second and third in a 4–0 win at the Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso.[21]

In June 2014, Hernández was called up to the provisional 30-men squad for the World Cup in Brazil, however an injury ruled him out of the final squad. He was re-called to play in the friendly match against Bolivia on 14 October 2014, where he was victim of a penalty that Arturo Vidal changed for goal and the final 2–2. In November, he was called to play against Venezuela and Uruguay, Hernandez scored the fifth goal in the 5–0 win against Venezuela in Talcahuano.

International goals

Scores and results list Chile's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.22 January 2014Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo, Chile  Costa Rica
2–0
4–0Friendly match
2.
3–0
3.14 November 2014Estadio CAP, Talcahuano, Chile  Venezuela5–05–0Friendly match

Career statistics

Club

As of 24 November 2018[22]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Racing Montevideo2008–09Primera División152005[a]3205
Defensor2009–10Primera División14300143
D.C. United2010MLS14021161
Argentinos Juniors2010–11Primera División60003[b]090
2011–12363101[c]0383
2012–13221002[c]1242
Total644106100715
O'Higgins2013–14Primera División2911446[b]01[d]13915
Celta de Vigo2014–15La Liga2913000321
2015–163327200414
2016–1726170120451
2017–183032000333
Total1187192120001499
Independiente2018–19Primera División71104[b]01[e]0131
Career total261282772517432040

Honours

Club

Atlético Tucumán
O'Higgins
Independiente

International

Chile

Individual

O'Higgins
  • Medalla Santa Cruz de Triana: 2014
Celta Vigo

References