Last Updated on September 26, 2026 by Miguel Manjate
Anderson Julio comes from one of Ecuadorian football’s most interesting sporting families. Born on May 31, 1996, in Pimampiro, Imbabura, the FC Dallas forward grew up surrounded by football and athletics before developing into a professional player with Liga de Quito, Atlético San Luis, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas.
His parents are Marcelo Julio and Fernanda Santos, while his siblings include fellow professional footballers Jhojan Julio and Madison Julio and a sister named Naomi Julio. His mother also played football as a goalkeeper in her youth. Anderson later built a family of his own and is the father of at least one daughter, although he has kept his daughter and romantic relationships largely outside the public spotlight.
Who Is Anderson Julio’s Girlfriend?
As of now, Anderson Julio has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend or wife through FC Dallas, Major League Soccer or another sufficiently reliable source.
The Ecuadorian forward has maintained a public social-media presence throughout his career, but photographs, comments and interactions involving private individuals do not provide enough evidence to establish a current romantic relationship.
Reliable interviews about Julio tend to focus much more heavily on football, his brothers, his parents and his career in Ecuador and the United States.
For that reason, it would be inaccurate to identify anyone as Anderson Julio’s current partner without direct confirmation from the player or a trustworthy source.
Is Anderson Julio Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Anderson Julio is married.
Although he is known to be a father, established profiles of the Ecuadorian forward have not publicly identified a wife.
His current marital and relationship status should therefore be regarded as private.
Does Anderson Julio Have Children?
Yes. Anderson Julio has at least one publicly confirmed daughter.
A detailed profile published during his Liga de Quito career described Anderson and his brother Jhojan as young fathers. At that time, Anderson’s daughter was four years old, while Jhojan also had a young daughter.
The report explained that becoming fathers had brought additional responsibility into the brothers’ lives while they were establishing themselves as important first-team players at Liga.
Anderson has generally protected his daughter from football publicity, and her name has not been reliably disclosed in the major sources reviewed.
Anderson Julio’s Daughter
Anderson’s daughter was already part of his life during his breakthrough years with Liga de Quito.
Although the public profile mentioning her did not provide extensive personal details, it made clear that fatherhood had changed how Anderson approached his responsibilities.
He was still in his early twenties when he was balancing professional football with being a parent.
Because his daughter is not a public sports figure, details such as her name, school and private social-media presence should remain outside public profiles unless Anderson himself chooses to make them public.
Who Are Anderson Julio’s Parents?
Anderson Julio is the son of Marcelo Julio and Fernanda Santos.
Both parents have connections to Anderson’s football story. Marcelo helped direct his son toward Liga de Quito during his teenage years, while Fernanda had a sporting background of her own and played goalkeeper when she was younger.
Anderson has described his household as deeply football-oriented. In a 2018 interview, he explained that all four children in the family were involved in the sport and credited both his father and mother for the family’s athletic interest.
Anderson Julio’s Father: Marcelo Julio
Anderson Julio’s father is Marcelo Julio.
Marcelo played an important role when Anderson decided that he wanted to pursue professional football more seriously.
Anderson spent part of his childhood in the Valle del Chota region, where football and athletics were both important parts of his early sporting life.
At around 13 years old, he moved to Quito with his parents and became determined to find a professional academy.
Anderson initially wanted his father to take him to El Nacional. Marcelo was busy with work and could not simply accompany his son whenever Anderson wanted, but the youngster continued insisting.
Eventually, Marcelo contacted former player Nixon Carcelén, and that connection helped Anderson reach Liga de Quito instead.
The decision transformed Anderson’s career.
Marcelo Julio Helped Anderson Join Liga de Quito
Anderson has recalled repeatedly asking his father for help finding an opportunity in professional youth football.
Marcelo ultimately spoke with Nixon Carcelén, who took the young Anderson to Liga de Quito.
Anderson had previously played at Liga’s facilities during youth competitions, and club coaches already knew something about his qualities.
Once he entered the academy, he gradually progressed through Liga’s youth system before eventually establishing himself in the senior team.
Marcelo continued to be involved in his son’s football decisions. During Anderson’s Liga career, he indicated that important transfer matters would be discussed between his father and the club.
Anderson and His Father Shared a Football Dream
Marcelo was not only Anderson’s father but an important figure in a wider football family.
He is also the father of Jhojan Julio, another Ecuador international who developed through Liga de Quito.
According to El Comercio, Marcelo used to take Jhojan from Quito to El Juncal so the younger boy could spend time with Anderson.
Anderson and Jhojan did not grow up together full-time because they share a father but have different mothers.
Their relationship became much closer during adolescence when Anderson moved to Quito and the two brothers began seeing each other more regularly.
Anderson Julio’s Mother: Fernanda Santos
Anderson Julio’s mother is Fernanda Santos.
Fernanda also has a football background. In a 2018 interview conducted at the Julio family home, she revealed that she had played as a goalkeeper during her youth.
That sporting background is especially interesting because Anderson himself initially enjoyed playing goalkeeper as a child before eventually becoming an attacking player.
He once trained as a goalkeeper on a dirt pitch with his cousin Ricardo Barahona and even remembered using woollen gloves while playing in goal.
Anderson later said that football ran through the family and believed he and his siblings had inherited their passion from both their father and mother.
Fernanda Santos Motivated Anderson Before Matches
Fernanda’s influence was not limited to her own football background.
Anderson remembered that when he left for team camps, his mother would jokingly challenge him to score a goal before returning home.
He interpreted the message as motivation.
The family joke became another small part of the environment that encouraged Anderson to attack, score and enjoy football.
That attacking mentality eventually became one of his defining characteristics as a professional player.
Who Are Anderson Julio’s Siblings?
Anderson Julio has three publicly documented siblings: Jhojan Julio, Madison Julio and Naomi Julio.
Anderson confirmed all three names himself during a 2018 interview and explained that all four siblings were involved in football.
Jhojan and Madison became professional footballers, while Naomi had already entered Ecuador’s youth national-team pathway as a teenager.
Anderson is the oldest sibling and has said that he views that position as a major responsibility because his younger brothers and sister followed his example.
Jhojan Julio
Jhojan Julio is Anderson’s younger paternal half-brother and one of the best-known footballers in the family.
Jhojan was born in Quito in 1998 and, like Anderson, developed through Liga de Quito’s academy.
The brothers did not spend all of their early childhood together. El Comercio reported that they share the same father, Marcelo Julio, but lived separately until Anderson moved to Quito during adolescence.
Once they were closer geographically, their relationship developed quickly.
They trained at Liga, played together at youth level and eventually reached the senior team.
Anderson Helped Jhojan Join Liga de Quito
Jhojan initially spent a short period with El Nacional during his youth career.
Anderson encouraged him to try Liga de Quito instead.
Jhojan listened to his older brother, entered Liga’s youth setup and developed into one of the club’s leading attacking midfielders.
The brothers eventually shared the field for Liga’s first team and became especially important during the 2018 Ecuadorian championship season.
Jhojan has described playing alongside Anderson as a dream.
The pair developed such an understanding that they often knew where the other would move without needing extensive communication.
Anderson and Jhojan Julio Won the 2018 Ecuadorian Championship Together
The 2018 season provided one of the greatest moments in the Julio family’s football history.
Anderson and Jhojan both became important first-team players as Liga de Quito challenged for the Ecuadorian championship.
The brothers started in the championship finals against Emelec.
Anderson scored the decisive goal at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado as Liga secured the title.
Winning a national championship together transformed what had begun as occasional childhood meetings in El Juncal into one of Ecuadorian football’s most recognizable brother partnerships.
Madison Julio
Madison Julio is another of Anderson’s brothers and also became a professional footballer.
Madison was born in Pimampiro in 1997 and, like Anderson and Jhojan, spent time in Liga de Quito’s youth system.
His professional pathway was less direct than those of his brothers.
After leaving Liga’s development setup, Madison played for several Ecuadorian clubs while working to establish himself professionally.
His career included Deportivo Quito, Técnico Universitario, El Nacional and other teams before he eventually earned a return to Liga.
Anderson Supported Madison’s Return to Liga
Madison’s return to Liga de Quito in 2024 created another important moment for the family.
By then, Anderson was playing in Major League Soccer, while Jhojan remained an important Liga player.
Anderson travelled to Quito after completing his MLS season to support his brothers during Liga’s championship push.
He specifically expressed his hope that Madison would finally experience the same Liga championship success that Anderson and Jhojan had already enjoyed.
Anderson explained that the entire family wanted Madison to become a champion with the club.
That support reflected the close bond between the brothers despite their careers taking them to different teams and countries.
Naomi Julio
Naomi Julio is Anderson Julio’s sister.
She has maintained a considerably lower public profile than her professional-football-playing brothers, but Anderson confirmed her involvement in football during his 2018 interview with El Telégrafo.
At that time, Naomi had been preselected for Ecuador’s under-17 women’s national-team setup.
Anderson included Naomi when explaining how he approached being the oldest of four siblings.
He said Jhojan, Madison and Naomi were following his footsteps and that he felt responsible for giving them advice.
There is less reliable public information about Naomi’s later football career, so it would be inappropriate to assume that she continued professionally without additional documentation.
Anderson Julio Is the Oldest of Four Football-Loving Siblings
Anderson has described being the oldest sibling as an important responsibility.
By the time he established himself at Liga de Quito, Jhojan was already playing alongside him, Madison was pursuing his own professional career and Naomi had entered Ecuador’s youth football pathway.
Anderson therefore became an example inside the family before he became an established international player.
He has said that part of being the oldest brother involves giving advice and helping his younger siblings navigate football.
Anderson Julio’s Cousin Renato Ibarra
The Julio siblings are not the only professional footballers in Anderson’s extended family.
Anderson has identified Ecuador international Renato Ibarra as his cousin.
Ibarra enjoyed a long professional career that included spells in Ecuador, the Netherlands and Mexico as well as extensive involvement with Ecuador’s senior national team.
As a young player in the Valle del Chota region, Anderson viewed relatives who had already reached professional football as evidence that the same pathway was possible for him.
Renato’s example was particularly relevant when Anderson began thinking seriously about leaving home to pursue academy football in Quito.
Anderson Julio’s Uncle Johvany Ibarra
Anderson has also identified former Ecuadorian goalkeeper Johvany Ibarra as his uncle.
Johvany played professionally in Ecuador and represented the national team, giving Anderson another high-level football reference inside his extended family.
Both Renato Ibarra and Johvany Ibarra had connections with El Nacional, which helps explain why Anderson originally wanted his father to take him to that club when he decided to pursue football in Quito.
Instead, Marcelo’s contact with Nixon Carcelén eventually redirected Anderson toward Liga de Quito.
Anderson Julio Started as a Goalkeeper
Considering his mother’s background, one of the most interesting details about Anderson’s childhood is that he initially enjoyed playing goalkeeper.
His cousin Ricardo Barahona, who was also a goalkeeper, trained with him on a dirt field in their neighborhood.
Anderson remembered wearing simple woollen gloves and asking to play in goal.
His position eventually changed as coaches recognized that his greatest qualities were speed, dribbling and one-on-one attacking ability.
By the time he reached Liga’s under-18 team, he had developed into the explosive wide player who would later establish himself professionally.
Growing Up in the Valle del Chota
Anderson’s early years were strongly influenced by the sporting culture of northern Ecuador and the Valle del Chota.
Before fully focusing on football, he also competed in athletics and was particularly fast in the 100 metres.
Speed eventually became his defining football characteristic.
He also spent time in a football school connected with former Ecuador striker Agustín “Tin” Delgado.
Playing on dirt fields and being surrounded by successful Ecuadorian footballers contributed to Anderson’s determination to make the sport his career.
Moving to Quito at 13
Around the age of 13, Anderson moved to Quito with his parents.
The relocation gave him the opportunity to pursue academy football more seriously.
His persistence with his father eventually brought him to Liga de Quito, where coaches recognized the qualities he could offer as an attacking player.
He progressed through the youth system and reserves before reaching the senior side.
The same club later became home to Jhojan and had an important developmental connection with Madison as well.
Anderson Julio’s Professional Career
Julio established himself with Liga de Quito and became one of the club’s important attacking players.
His greatest domestic achievement came in 2018 when Liga won the Ecuadorian Serie A championship.
He later added the Copa Ecuador before moving abroad.
His first international club experience came with Atlético San Luis in Mexico.
Julio subsequently moved to Major League Soccer, where he became particularly well known during his time with Real Salt Lake.
Anderson Julio at Real Salt Lake
Julio became a productive MLS attacker with Real Salt Lake.
Across competitions, he accumulated more than 100 appearances for the club and became known for his speed and ability to attack space behind opposing defenses.
The 2024 season was particularly successful individually, as he reached a career-high nine MLS regular-season goals.
His performances eventually attracted FC Dallas, another Western Conference club that had frequently faced him as an opponent.
Anderson Julio Joins FC Dallas
FC Dallas acquired Anderson Julio from Real Salt Lake in December 2024.
Dallas sent defender Sam Junqua and allocation money to Real Salt Lake in exchange for the Ecuadorian forward.
Julio immediately became part of Dallas’s attacking rotation and scored six goals during his first season with the club.
FC Dallas later exercised his contract option for the 2026 season.
As of now, he wears number 11 for FC Dallas and remains under contract through the 2026 MLS season.
Anderson Julio’s Family FAQ
Who are Anderson Julio’s parents?
Anderson Julio’s parents are Marcelo Julio and Fernanda Santos.
Who is Anderson Julio’s father?
Anderson’s father is Marcelo Julio. He helped Anderson find the opportunity that ultimately led him into Liga de Quito’s youth academy and is also the father of Jhojan Julio.
Who is Anderson Julio’s mother?
Anderson Julio’s mother is Fernanda Santos. She played as a goalkeeper during her youth and was an important source of motivation throughout Anderson’s early career.
Does Anderson Julio have siblings?
Yes. Anderson has three publicly documented siblings: Jhojan Julio, Madison Julio and Naomi Julio.
Is Jhojan Julio Anderson Julio’s brother?
Yes. Jhojan Julio is Anderson’s younger paternal half-brother. They share the same father, Marcelo Julio, and later played together at Liga de Quito.
Is Madison Julio Anderson Julio’s brother?
Yes. Madison Julio is Anderson’s brother and is also a professional footballer. Both developed in Liga de Quito’s youth system.
Who is Naomi Julio?
Naomi Julio is Anderson’s sister. In a 2018 interview, Anderson said she had been preselected for Ecuador’s under-17 women’s national-team setup.
Is Renato Ibarra related to Anderson Julio?
Yes. Anderson has identified former Ecuador international Renato Ibarra as his cousin.
Is Johvany Ibarra related to Anderson Julio?
Yes. Anderson has identified former Ecuador goalkeeper Johvany Ibarra as his uncle.
Does Anderson Julio have a daughter?
Yes. Anderson Julio has at least one publicly confirmed daughter. A profile from his Liga de Quito years reported that he was already the father of a young girl.
What is Anderson Julio’s daughter’s name?
Her name has not been reliably published in the major football sources reviewed, and Anderson has generally kept her outside the public spotlight.
Who is Anderson Julio’s girlfriend?
As of now, Anderson Julio has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend through a sufficiently reliable source.
Is Anderson Julio married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Anderson Julio is married.
Where was Anderson Julio born?
Anderson Julio was born in Pimampiro, Imbabura, Ecuador, on May 31, 1996.
Which club does Anderson Julio play for?
As of now, Anderson Julio plays as a forward for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer and wears number 11.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
