Overview
Hernanes, full name Anderson Hernanes de Carvalho Viana Lima, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who established a reputation as a technically gifted and tactically intelligent midfielder during his extensive career. Born in Recife on May 29, 1985, Hernanes primarily operated as a central midfielder, showcasing a broad skillset that allowed him to excel in various roles within the midfield. His career spanned across prominent clubs in Brazil, Italy, and China, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to influence play from deep or closer to the opposition's goal. Standing at 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in), Hernanes combined physical presence with refined technical attributes, making him a formidable opponent and a valuable asset to his teams. He represented the Brazil national team, accumulating caps and participating in major international tournaments.
Position
Hernanes was primarily deployed as a central midfielder, a role in which he could dictate the tempo of matches. His versatility allowed him to adapt to different tactical systems, performing effectively as a deep-lying playmaker (regista), a box-to-box midfielder, or even as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers. This adaptability stemmed from his excellent passing range, vision, and ability to contribute defensively by breaking up play and winning back possession. His capacity to transition from defense to attack was a key characteristic of his play, often initiating counter-attacks with incisive through balls.
Identity
Hernanes's identity on the pitch was defined by his exceptional long-range shooting and his intelligent reading of the game. He possessed a powerful and accurate right foot, making him a threat from outside the penalty area and from set-pieces. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, he was a thoughtful player, known for his composed demeanor under pressure and his ability to make crucial decisions in tight situations. His nickname, 'Il Profeta' (The Prophet), coined during his time in Italy, reflected his perceived foresight and strategic thinking on the field, often anticipating plays before they fully developed and delivering unexpected moments of quality.
Career path
Hernanes's professional journey began in his native Brazil, where he rose through the ranks before making a significant impact in European football. His career path featured notable tenures at major clubs in Serie A and the Chinese Super League, showcasing his enduring quality and adaptability across different footballing cultures.
São Paulo FC (2001-2010)
Hernanes joined the youth academy of São Paulo FC in 2001. After progressing through their system, he made his senior debut in 2005. His time at São Paulo was highly successful, culminating in two Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles in 2007 and 2008. He became a key player, known for his consistent performances and leadership qualities. His impressive displays caught the attention of European scouts, leading to his eventual departure. His final season with São Paulo saw him continue to be a dominant force in the Brazilian league, establishing himself as one of the country's most promising midfielders before his move abroad in 2010, as detailed by Hernanes's career history on Transfermarkt.
Lazio (2010-2014)
In August 2010, Hernanes made his move to Europe, signing with Italian Serie A club Lazio. He quickly established himself as a fan favourite and a pivotal player in Lazio's midfield. During his four seasons in Rome, he played a crucial role, contributing with goals and assists from his central midfield position. A highlight of his tenure was winning the Coppa Italia in the 2012–13 season, where Lazio defeated their city rivals Roma in the final. His consistent performances for Lazio solidified his reputation as one of the premier midfielders in Serie A, making 156 appearances and scoring 41 goals for the club across all competitions.
Inter Milan (2014-2015)
In January 2014, Hernanes transferred to Inter Milan, a move that saw him join another Italian giant. He continued to showcase his technical prowess and shooting ability at the San Siro. Despite a relatively shorter spell compared to Lazio, he remained an important figure in Inter's midfield, providing creativity and goal threat. He made 42 appearances for Inter, scoring 7 goals, before another move within Italy.
Juventus (2015-2017)
Hernanes joined Juventus in August 2015. While his role was often more rotational, he contributed to Juventus's domestic dominance. During his time in Turin, he won two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies, adding significant silverware to his collection. His experience provided depth and quality to a star-studded Juventus squad, making 35 appearances and scoring 2 goals over two seasons, according to Transfermarkt's record of Hernanes's club transfers.
Later Career (2017-2021)
After his spell at Juventus, Hernanes moved to the Chinese Super League, signing with Hebei China Fortune in February 2017. He spent a season in China before returning to São Paulo FC on loan in July 2017 and then permanently in 2018, where he continued to be a significant figure. He concluded his playing career with Sport Recife in 2021, marking an end to a distinguished career that saw him compete at the highest levels of club football across three continents.
Playing style
Hernanes's playing style was characterized by a blend of technical refinement, tactical intelligence, and a powerful physical presence. As a central midfielder, he possessed attributes that allowed him to influence all phases of play, making him a complete and versatile player.
One of his most notable technical attributes was his exceptional long-range shooting. Hernanes had a powerful and accurate right foot, often scoring spectacular goals from outside the penalty area, a trait he demonstrated consistently throughout his career in Brazil and Italy. This made him a constant threat to opposition goalkeepers and a valuable asset in terms of direct goal contributions. His ability to strike the ball with such force and precision also made him a specialist in free-kicks, capable of bending the ball over walls or striking it with dipping accuracy.
Beyond his shooting, Hernanes was an adept passer of the ball. He possessed excellent vision and a wide passing range, capable of executing both short, intricate passes to maintain possession and long, diagonal balls to switch the play or launch attacks. His ability to pick out teammates in advanced positions with perfectly weighted through balls was a key aspect of his playmaking. This made him an effective deep-lying playmaker, akin to players like Andrea Pirlo in his ability to orchestrate attacks from behind the front line.
Defensively, Hernanes was not merely an attacking force. He demonstrated a strong work rate, often tracking back to support his defense, break up opposition attacks, and regain possession. His intelligent positioning and anticipation allowed him to intercept passes and make crucial tackles. While not a conventional defensive midfielder, his contributions in this area were significant, providing balance to his teams. His all-around midfield play, combining defensive tenacity with offensive flair, drew comparisons to players like Frank Lampard in his ability to impact both ends of the pitch, though with a different stylistic emphasis on passing and vision.
His composure on the ball, even under intense pressure, allowed him to retain possession and initiate attacks from tight situations. This mental fortitude, combined with his technical skills, made him a reliable player in critical moments of matches.
Achievements & honours
Hernanes enjoyed a highly successful career, accumulating numerous domestic titles in Brazil and Italy, alongside individual accolades that underscored his talent and impact on the game. His contributions were instrumental in the success of the clubs he represented.
Club Honours
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | São Paulo FC | 2007, 2008 |
| Coppa Italia | Lazio | 2012–13 |
| Serie A | Juventus | 2015–16, 2016–17 |
| Coppa Italia | Juventus | 2015–16, 2016–17 |
Individual Honours
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2009
- Bola de Prata: 2007, 2008, 2009
- FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Ball: 2013
These awards highlight his consistent excellence in Brazilian domestic football and his recognition on the international stage during the FIFA Confederations Cup. His multiple selections to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year and his Bola de Prata awards underscore his status as one of the best midfielders in Brazil during his initial spell at São Paulo FC.
International career
Hernanes represented the Brazil national team at various levels, culminating in a senior career that included appearances in major tournaments for his country. His international journey began with youth selections before he earned his place in the senior squad.
He made his senior international debut for Brazil in 2008. Over his career, he accumulated 27 caps for the Seleção, scoring 2 goals. Hernanes was part of the Brazil squad that competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where the team secured a bronze medal. His contributions in the midfield were vital, providing both defensive solidity and creative impetus.
A significant highlight of his international career came in 2013 when he was part of the Brazil squad that won the FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil. Hernanes played a key role in the tournament, demonstrating his versatility and contributing to Brazil's triumph. His performances earned him the Bronze Ball award for the third-best player of the tournament, a testament to his impact and consistent high-level play, as recognized by FIFA's official Confederations Cup awards.
Hernanes was also selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, hosted in Brazil. Although his role was primarily as a squad player, his experience and ability provided depth to the midfield options. His participation in such a high-stakes tournament further cemented his status as a respected international footballer. While he did not play a starring role in the World Cup, his presence reflected his consistent quality and the trust placed in him by the national team coaching staff.
What makes Hernanes stand out
Hernanes distinguished himself through a unique combination of attributes that made him a versatile and impactful midfielder. His most striking quality was his exceptional long-range shooting ability, often producing spectacular goals that could change the course of a game. This made him a dangerous player from virtually any position outside the box, forcing opponents to close him down aggressively.
Another standout trait was his intelligent movement and tactical awareness. Hernanes consistently positioned himself effectively to receive the ball, intercept passes, or create space for teammates. This 'prophetic' understanding of the game allowed him to anticipate plays and often be one step ahead of the opposition, whether he was breaking up an attack or initiating a counter.
His versatility across different midfield roles also made him invaluable. He could seamlessly transition from a deep-lying playmaker, dictating tempo with his passing range, to a more advanced box-to-box midfielder, arriving late in the box to score or assist. This adaptability ensured he remained relevant in various tactical systems and under different coaches.
"Hernanes is a complete midfielder; he has technique, incredible shooting, and he also covers a lot of ground. A player like him changes a team." – Stefano Pioli, former Lazio manager.