Biography of Fernando Hierro: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
He is best known for his stellar career with Real Madrid where he spent 14 highly successful seasons. Hierro also captained the Spanish national team and played in four World Cups.
Regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Hierro won numerous trophies during his illustrious career. This article provides a comprehensive overview of his life and career, including his net worth, age, stats and records, family, notable achievements, and relationships.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2024, Fernando Hierro’s net worth is estimated to be around $55 million. The bulk of his net worth was built during his playing days for club and country.
At Real Madrid, Hierro earned a significant salary as a star player for the club. Although his exact Real Madrid salary was never disclosed, he likely earned several million dollars per season during the prime of his career.
Aside from his salary, Hierro also earned income from endorsement deals with brands like Adidas during his playing career. His income streams have likely diversified since retirement through business investments and other partnerships.
Age and Early Life
Fernando Hierro was born on March 23, 1968 in Vélez-Málaga, Spain. As of 2024, he is 56 years old.
Hierro developed a passion for soccer from a young age. He first played at local club Vélez before joining the youth academy of Málaga CF in 1980 at the age of 12.
Hierro’s parents supported his ambitions to become a professional footballer. He focused intensely on soccer training as a teenager before getting his chance to play in La Liga.
Playing Career and Notable Records
Hierro began his senior career with Real Valladolid in La Liga in the 1987-88 season at the age of 19. He immediately broke into the first team and had an excellent debut campaign, named the La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year.
His composed performances as a teenager helped earn a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid in 1989. Hierro would go on to achieve legendary status at the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid Superstardom (1989-2003)
Over the next 14 seasons at Real Madrid, Hierro cemented himself as one of the club’s all-time greatest players:
- 589 total appearances for Real Madrid (6th most in club history)
- 121 goals (one of the top scoring defenders ever at the club)
- Won 5 La Liga titles and 3 UEFA Champions League titles
- Captained the team to numerous trophies in the late 1990s and early 2000s
Individually, Hierro racked up numerous honors that reflected his world-class ability:
- 2x La Liga Best Defender (1993, 1996)
- La Liga Spanish Player of the Year (1996)
- UEFA Champions League Best Defender (1998, 2000)
- IFFHS World’s Best Defender (2002)
Hierro set multiple records during his prime years at Real Madrid, including:
- Most goals by a defender in La Liga history (105) – a record that still stands today
- Real Madrid appearance record for an outfield player (589) – recently broken by Sergio Ramos
- 21 career appearances in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage – a record at the time
After 15 trophy-laden seasons, Hierro left Real Madrid in 2003 at the age of 35 as a bona fide club legend. He continued playing for another three seasons with Al Rayyan SC in Qatar and Bolton Wanderers in England before retiring in 2006.
International Career with Spain
In addition to his illustrious club career, Hierro was a stalwart for the Spanish national team. He made his international debut in 1988 and would go on to earn 89 total caps for Spain.
Hierro’s highlights for Spain include:
- Competing at 4 FIFA World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002) as a starter in defense
- Captaining Spain at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup
- 29 total international goals – the most ever by a Spanish defender
Although he never won a trophy at international level, Hierro gave excellent service to Spain over 14 years. He retired from national team duty after the 2002 World Cup at the age of 34.
Relationship and Personal Life
Fernando Hierro prefers to keep his personal and family life private for the most part. However, some details are known about his relationships and children.
Marriage
Hierro has been married to his wife Marta Sánchez for many years. The couple reportedly met and began their relationship during Hierro’s early playing days in Madrid.
They eventually married sometime later during his hugely successful stint at Real Madrid in the 1990s. Their marriage has remained strong despite Hierro’s high-profile career. Together they have two sons.
Children
Hierro has two sons: Alvaro Hierro and Fernando Hierro Sánchez. Both maintain a low profile, but they have been spotted supporting their father at some events over the years.
In a rare interview, Hierro expressed how important his family is to him and that he prefers to keep them out of the public eye to give them privacy and a normal life.
Achievements and Honors
Fernando Hierro is rightly considered a legendary figure in Spanish football history due to his immense success and influence as a player. Some notable achievements and honors from his career:
Player Honors and Awards
- IFFHS World’s Best Defender – 2002
- UEFA Champions League Best Defender – 1998, 2000
- La Liga Best Defender – 1993, 1996
- La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year – 1988
- La Liga Spanish Player of the Year – 1996
- Included in FIFA 100 list of all-time greatest footballers
- Real Madrid Hall of Fame
Team Honors and Trophies
During his stellar career at club level, Hierro won major silverware across Spain and Europe:
Real Madrid
- 5x La Liga titles
- 2x Copa del Rey
- 3x UEFA Champions League titles
- 1x UEFA Super Cup
- 2x Intercontinental Cup
Bolton Wanderers
- UEFA Intertoto Cup – 2004
At international level with Spain, Hierro reached the quarter-finals twice at the World Cup (1994, 2002) but did not capture any major tournament trophy. However, he captained Spain on many occasions and was a key leader for the national team throughout the 1990s.
Individual Records
The individual records and statistical feats achieved by Hierro during his career give an indication of his immense quality and influence as a player:
- 105 goals – most goals scored by a defender in La Liga history
- 589 appearances – Real Madrid club record for an outfield player (recently surpassed by Sergio Ramos)
- 21 matches – most UEFA Champions League knockout appearances at time of retirement
- 89 caps, 29 goals – most international caps and goals by a Spanish defender
Hierro’s goalscoring feats as a defender in La Liga and European football may never be matched again. He was a formidable force at both ends of the pitch.
Later Life and Post-Retirement
After retiring as a player in 2005, Fernando Hierro initially took some time away from football. But it wasn’t long before he returned to take up coaching and administrative roles.
Coaching Career
His first major coaching position came with the Spanish national team in 2008, appointed as assistant manager to Vicente del Bosque. During this stint, Hierro helped Spain win their first ever World Cup trophy in 2010.
In 2011, he decided to strike out on his own with his first head coaching job at Malaga CF. However, he only remained in charge for one season despite some promising signs.
Other managerial positions have included:
- Real Oviedo – 2016-2017
- Spain U21s – 2018-2019
In July 2019, Hierro achieved his biggest role so far when he was hired as head coach of Spanish club CD Alaves. His work helping Alaves avoid relegation in 2019-20 gained plaudits, but he left the club in 2020 due to personal reasons.
As of 2024, Hierro does not currently have an active coaching job. But given his strong resume it is likely only a matter of time before he returns to the dugout if he desires.
me FAQs to complete the article:
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fernando Hierro stands out as one of the most accomplished defenders of the modern era through his record-breaking exploits with Real Madrid and Spain. His blend of defensive steel, goalscoring prowess, and leadership cemented his status as a legendary figure in Spanish football.
Even after retirement, Hierro continues to impact the game through his prominent roles as a manager and administrator. While he never lifted a World Cup as a player, he contributed greatly to Spain’s success in 2010 as assistant coach.
With so many honors and achievements already under his belt from a phenomenal playing career, Hierro has nothing left to prove. But his devotion to keep contributing to football in his home country is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the sport he loves.
Regardless of any future trophies or roles, Fernando Hierro has already cemented a hugely respected place in football history through his performances and accomplishments over the past 30+ years.
FAQs
What is Fernando Hierro’s net worth?
As of 2024, Fernando Hierro has an estimated net worth of $55 million. The majority was earned during his playing days with Real Madrid where he was one of the club’s star players for well over a decade.
How many total trophies did Fernando Hierro win during his career?
During his stellar career, Fernando Hierro won a total of 5 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey trophies, and 3 UEFA Champions League titles at club level with Real Madrid. With Spain, he did not win any major trophy but was a runner-up at the 1984 Olympics.
Is Fernando Hierro on social media?
No, Fernando Hierro does not have publicly known social media accounts. He is notoriously private about his family life and maintains little presence on social platforms.
Where does Fernando Hierro currently work?
As of 2024, Fernando Hierro does not have a current employer. His last coaching job was with Spanish club Alaves which ended in 2020. But he remains active in football through administrative roles with the Spanish FA among other football entities.
What was Fernando Hierro’s best season?
Fernando Hierro’s best individual season likely came in 1996 when he was at the peak of his powers with Real Madrid. That year, he won La Liga Best Defender and Spanish Player of the Year honors after captaining Madrid to the league title
