Last Updated on October 2, 2026 by Siara Costa
Héctor Herrera comes from a humble and close-knit Mexican family whose sacrifices played an important role in his rise from the dirt football fields of Rosarito to some of the biggest clubs in Europe and Major League Soccer. The veteran midfielder was raised by his parents, Miguel Herrera and María López, and is the youngest of three siblings.
Herrera later built a family of his own with longtime partner Shantal Mayo. The couple spent many years together and have two children, Héctor David and Mia Valentina. Their relationship accompanied Herrera through his careers with Pachuca, FC Porto, Atlético Madrid and Houston Dynamo FC, but in February 2025, Shantal publicly announced that they had separated after many years together.
Who Is Héctor Herrera’s Wife?
Héctor Herrera’s longtime partner and former wife is Shantal Mayo.
Shantal was part of Herrera’s life long before he became an internationally recognized footballer. Their relationship began during the early stages of his career in Mexico, and she supported him through the difficult period when professional football had not yet provided financial stability.
As Herrera’s career developed, Shantal moved with him and their growing family. They experienced life in Mexico, Portugal, Spain and eventually the United States.
During Herrera’s years with FC Porto and Atlético Madrid, Shantal and their children frequently appeared alongside him at major football events. When Atlético Madrid formally presented Herrera as a new player in 2019, Shantal and their children joined him at the stadium.
Are Héctor Herrera and Shantal Mayo Still Together?
No. Héctor Herrera and Shantal Mayo announced the end of their relationship in February 2025.
Shantal explained publicly that they had actually been separated for several months before making the decision known. According to her statement, they had taken time to reflect and eventually concluded together that continuing on separate paths was the best decision.
The separation ended a relationship that had lasted approximately 15 years.
Importantly, Shantal emphasized that their children would continue to be their priority. She said that she and Héctor remained committed to working together as parents and providing their children with love, stability and support.
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Héctor Herrera has entered another serious relationship.
How Many Children Does Héctor Herrera Have?
Héctor Herrera has two children with Shantal Mayo: a son named Héctor David and a daughter named Mia Valentina.
Both children have accompanied their parents during several stages of Herrera’s international career and have occasionally appeared with him at stadiums, club presentations and family events.
Héctor David Herrera
Héctor David Herrera, commonly known simply as David, is Héctor Herrera’s son and eldest child.
David was born while his father was still establishing himself as a professional footballer. By the time Herrera moved from Pachuca to FC Porto in 2013, family life had already become an important part of the midfielder’s career.
David has also developed his own interest in football. He has been associated with the Houston Dynamo FC Academy, giving the Herrera family the possibility of continuing its football tradition into another generation.
His father’s experience provides him with an unusual perspective. Héctor progressed from humble football fields in Baja California to representing Mexico at three FIFA World Cups and playing in the UEFA Champions League.
Mia Valentina Herrera
Mia Valentina Herrera, often referred to simply as Valentina, is Héctor Herrera and Shantal Mayo’s daughter.
She is the younger of the couple’s two children and has appeared alongside her parents and brother at several important moments in Héctor’s football career.
One of those occasions came during Herrera’s presentation as an Atlético Madrid player in 2019, when the entire family joined him for photographs at his new club.
Héctor and Shantal have generally avoided making extensive private information about their children public, despite occasionally sharing family moments.
Who Are Héctor Herrera’s Parents?
Héctor Herrera’s parents are Miguel Herrera and María López.
They raised Héctor and his siblings in modest circumstances around Rosarito, Baja California. Herrera has repeatedly spoken with pride about his childhood and has said that despite not having luxuries, he remembers growing up happily because his parents provided their children with love and support.
The sacrifices made by Miguel and María became especially important when Héctor began pursuing professional football away from home.
Héctor Herrera’s Father: Miguel Herrera
Miguel Herrera is Héctor Herrera’s father.
Miguel worked in construction and has been described by Héctor as a construction foreman. Despite the family’s limited financial resources, he worked to give his children what he could.
One of Héctor’s favorite childhood stories involves wanting a bicycle. Buying the type of bicycle his son wanted was too expensive for the household, so Miguel assembled one himself using parts from several different bicycles.
Héctor later used that homemade bicycle in races, and the experience became one of the memories he associated with his father’s creativity and determination.
Miguel also loved football. Héctor has recalled that his father regularly played the sport in their neighborhood, although not professionally.
Fishing was another important activity in the Herrera household. Héctor recalled that his father knew how to fish and set traps for lobster near Rosarito. Although the family did not have significant money, living near the coast meant they sometimes ate seafood that would have been expensive in a restaurant.
Héctor Herrera’s Mother: María López
María López is Héctor Herrera’s mother.
María also worked to help support the household. Héctor has said that she sold products at schools during his childhood, and reports about his early years have also mentioned her selling food such as tamales.
Her name appears prominently in the story of how Pachuca discovered her son.
When scout Martín Domínguez identified the young midfielder at a tournament in Tijuana, representatives of Pachuca eventually visited María López’s home to discuss Héctor’s football future.
The opportunity created a difficult decision because pursuing it meant sending their teenage son thousands of kilometres away from Baja California.
Why Héctor Herrera’s Parents Initially Worried About His Football Move
Herrera was still a teenager when he received the opportunity to move away from his family and pursue professional football.
He has recalled discussing the decision with both his mother and father. His parents initially did not want him to leave because the distance between Baja California and central Mexico was enormous.
Flying regularly to visit him was financially difficult for the family.
Héctor nevertheless believed strongly that becoming a professional footballer was what he wanted. His parents eventually allowed him to follow that dream.
The decision became one of the defining moments of Herrera’s life.
Does Héctor Herrera Have Siblings?
Yes. Héctor Herrera is the youngest of three siblings, meaning he grew up with two older siblings.
Reliable reporting confirms that his siblings include at least one older brother and one sister.
Unlike Héctor, neither sibling developed the same international public profile, and their names have not been consistently documented by strong mainstream sources.
Héctor Herrera’s Older Brother
Herrera has an older brother who played an important role in his earliest relationship with football.
According to Mexican reporting about Héctor’s childhood, his brother helped introduce him to the Emiliano Zapata football field in Rosarito.
That dirt field became one of the places where the future Mexico international developed his passion for the game.
His brother was also responsible for one of Héctor’s childhood nicknames. When they were young, the brother reportedly struggled to pronounce “Héctor” correctly and instead called him “Teto.” The nickname remained within the family.
Héctor Herrera’s Sister
Héctor Herrera also has a sister.
An ESPN account of Herrera’s difficult early football years mentions that his sister remained in Rosarito while Héctor pursued opportunities away from home.
She has kept a private profile, and reliable mainstream reporting does not consistently provide her name or personal background.
For that reason, claims online assigning a specific name to Herrera’s sister should be treated cautiously unless supported by better documentation.
Héctor Herrera’s Childhood in Rosarito
Héctor Miguel Herrera López was born on April 19, 1990, in Tijuana, Baja California, but has consistently described Rosarito as the place where he grew up.
He has fond memories of living close to the beach and playing football on dirt fields throughout the neighborhood.
The family did not have significant financial resources. His father worked in construction, while his mother helped support the household by selling goods at schools.
Nevertheless, Herrera has repeatedly described his childhood as happy rather than focusing only on the financial difficulties.
He has said that if he could live his childhood again, he would choose the same parents, friends and experiences because they helped shape the person he became.
How Héctor Herrera’s Family Helped His Football Career
Herrera’s professional football journey required considerable sacrifice from his family.
After leaving home, he spent difficult periods pursuing opportunities in central Mexico. During one stage with Atlante’s youth setup, Herrera recalled not always having enough support to comfortably pay for meals and other necessities.
His determination eventually led him into Pachuca’s system, where he developed into one of Mexico’s leading midfield prospects.
Herrera made his Liga MX breakthrough with Pachuca before becoming part of Mexico’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Only a year later, FC Porto signed him and his family began a new life in Portugal.
Shantal Mayo’s Role During Héctor Herrera’s Career
Shantal was with Herrera through many of the most important stages of his career.
She experienced the difficult years when his income and professional future were uncertain and later moved abroad as his career expanded.
When Herrera joined FC Porto in 2013, the family relocated to Portugal. They remained there during his six seasons with the Portuguese club.
The next move came in 2019 when Herrera signed for Atlético Madrid. Shantal and their two children again relocated with him, this time to Spain.
In interviews during that period, both Héctor and Shantal described adapting to frequent moves as an unavoidable part of professional football.
Their children also provided stability while the family adjusted to different countries, languages and cultures.
Héctor Herrera’s Family in Houston
The Herrera family began another major chapter when Héctor signed with Houston Dynamo FC in 2022.
Houston eventually became particularly important to the family.
After Herrera left the Dynamo and spent the 2025 season with Toluca in Mexico, his family remained based in Houston.
That connection was one of the factors surrounding his eventual return to the Dynamo for the 2026 season.
Herrera has described Houston as a place that feels like home, strengthening his relationship with the city beyond football.
Héctor Herrera Returns to Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo FC officially brought Herrera back in January 2026 after his successful year with Toluca.
During 2025, Herrera helped Toluca win both the Clausura and Apertura Liga MX championships.
He then returned to Houston on a contract through the 2026 season, with a club option extending through June 2027.
The move reunited Herrera with the city where his children and family had developed strong roots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Héctor Herrera’s Family
Who is Héctor Herrera’s wife?
Héctor Herrera’s longtime partner was Shantal Mayo. The couple publicly announced the end of their relationship in February 2025 after having already been separated for several months.
Are Héctor Herrera and Shantal Mayo still married?
They publicly announced in February 2025 that they had decided to end their relationship after approximately 15 years together. They also stated that they would remain united in their responsibilities as parents.
Does Héctor Herrera have a new girlfriend?
As of now, no new girlfriend or partner has been reliably confirmed publicly for Héctor Herrera following his separation from Shantal Mayo.
How many children does Héctor Herrera have?
Héctor Herrera has two children: one son and one daughter.
Who is Héctor Herrera’s son?
His son is Héctor David Herrera, commonly known as David.
Who is Héctor Herrera’s daughter?
His daughter is Mia Valentina Herrera, commonly referred to as Valentina.
Who are Héctor Herrera’s parents?
Héctor Herrera’s parents are Miguel Herrera and María López.
Who is Héctor Herrera’s father?
His father is Miguel Herrera, who worked in construction and was also passionate about football and fishing.
Who is Héctor Herrera’s mother?
His mother is María López. She worked selling goods at schools while Héctor was growing up and supported his football ambitions despite the difficulty of having him move far from home.
Does Héctor Herrera have siblings?
Yes. Herrera is the youngest of three siblings and therefore has two older siblings. Reliable reporting establishes that he has an older brother and a sister.
Who is Héctor Herrera’s brother?
Herrera has an older brother who helped introduce him to the Emiliano Zapata football field during childhood. His brother’s name has not been consistently confirmed by strong mainstream sources.
Does Héctor Herrera have a sister?
Yes. Herrera has a sister, although her name and personal background remain largely private in reliable public reporting.
Where is Héctor Herrera’s family from?
Herrera was born in Tijuana and raised in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, where his family lived close to the Pacific coast.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
