Cucho Hernández

Early career

Born in Pereira, Hernández played youth football for Indubolsas and was part of the Risaralda team that won the Pereira City Cup in 2014. He joined Deportivo Pereira in 2015 at the age of 15, catching the attention of the club after delivering impressive performances at the Pereira City Cup. He made his first team debut on 6 April 2015 at 15 years old, starting in a 2–1 home win against Deportes Quindío for the Categoría Primera B championship. Hernández scored his first senior goal on 5 September 2015, netting his team's first in a 3–2 away win against Real Santander. After finishing his first season with three goals, he was named captain of the team the following year at just 17 years old. He would end up scoring 20 times during the regular season, being the tournament's top goalscorer; despite playing more as an attacking midfielder than a centre-forward. Highlights included a hat-trick in a 3–0 home victory over Tigres F.C. on 3 July 2016.

Granada and loan to América de Cali

On 22 December 2016 Hernández joined América de Cali on loan from Granada CF, after signing for the latter side in September. for a reported £200k. He made his Categoría Primera A debut on 23 February 2017, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 home loss against Jaguares de Córdoba. Hernández scored his first goal in the top flight of Colombian football on 3 June 2017, netting the game's only goal in an away win over Deportivo Pasto.

Watford

After…

Hernández has represented Colombia at under-20 level, playing in the 2017 South American U-20 Championship, as well as the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored a hat-trick against Tahiti. Hernández received his first call up to the senior side on 29 September 2018, and made his full international debut on 17 October, coming on in the 72nd minute, replacing Carlos Bacca and scoring a brace in a 3–1 friendly win over Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. In May 2026, Hernández was named in Néstor Lorenzo's 26-man Colombia squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made his World Cup debut against Uzbekistan on 18 June, being substituted on for Luis Suárez in the 80th minute. In this game, he logged his first World Cup point, assisting Jaminton Campaz for Colombia's third goal.

Club

As of match played 4 September 2026

International

As of match played 7 July 2026

Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hernández goal.

Hernández acquired his nickname "Cucho" at a young age, when his father shaved his head, leading him to bear a resemblance to Esteban "Cuchu" Cambiasso, a prominent Argentine footballer at the time. He is a fan of Real Madrid.