Aníbal Godoy’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents, and Siblings

Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Gabriel

Aníbal Godoy comes from a Panamanian family with a strong connection to football. Born in Panama City, the veteran midfielder grew up watching his father, Cristóbal “Samurai” Godoy, play the sport professionally. His mother, Damaris Lemus, emphasized education while supporting her son’s ambitions on the pitch.

Godoy has also built a family of his own. He is married to his longtime partner, Tatiana Pérez, whom he has known since his teenage years. The couple have two sons, Neymar Isaac and Andrey, and Godoy has repeatedly described his wife and children as the most important people in his life.

Who Is Aníbal Godoy’s Wife?

Aníbal Godoy’s wife is Tatiana Pérez. The couple have been together since they were teenagers in Panama, with Brazilian outlet ge reporting that Tatiana had been Godoy’s partner since he was approximately 16 years old.

Their relationship continued as Godoy’s football career took him from Panama to Hungary and eventually Major League Soccer in the United States. Tatiana and their children have accompanied him through several important stages of his professional career.

Godoy has regularly emphasized how important his wife is to him. When preparing to move from the San Jose Earthquakes to Nashville SC in 2019, he said that his wife and children were “everything” to him and that having family nearby was particularly important when living far away from Panama.

Who Is Tatiana Pérez?

Tatiana Pérez has generally maintained a private life despite her husband’s prominent football career. She became publicly known to a wider international audience during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, when she attended Panama training sessions with the couple’s children.

During the tournament, Brazilian media spoke with Tatiana about the unusual name of the couple’s oldest son, Neymar. She explained that the decision was connected to admiration for Brazilian star Neymar, with both parents agreeing on the name.

Tatiana has remained alongside Godoy as his career has taken the family through California, Tennessee and, more recently, San Diego.

Does Aníbal Godoy Have Children?

Yes. Aníbal Godoy and Tatiana Pérez have two sons: Neymar Isaac Godoy and Andrey.

Godoy has spoken frequently about fatherhood. Rather than spending all of his free time focused on football, he has described taking his children to school, picking them up and playing soccer with them at home.

In a 2021 interview with the Panamanian Football Federation, Godoy dedicated the achievement of reaching 100 appearances for Panama to his family, specifically mentioning his wife and two sons.

Who Is Aníbal Godoy’s Son Neymar Isaac?

Neymar Isaac Godoy is Aníbal and Tatiana’s oldest son. He was born on July 3, 2011.

His first name naturally attracts attention because it is the same as Brazilian football star Neymar. The connection is intentional. During the 2018 World Cup, Tatiana explained that she was a fan of the Brazilian player and that she and Aníbal agreed on Neymar as their son’s name.

Godoy later revealed another interesting connection between Neymar’s birthday and his own career. During his time with San Jose Earthquakes, he wore the number 30 because his preferred number 20 was unavailable. He explained that he chose 30 because his son’s birthday falls on the third day of July, essentially turning “03” around to make “30.”

Who Is Aníbal Godoy’s Son Andrey?

Aníbal Godoy’s younger son is named Andrey. He was born in 2017, several years after his older brother Neymar Isaac.

The younger boy’s name also has a football connection. Brazilian reporting from the 2018 World Cup explained that Andrey was named with former Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko in mind.

This means both of Godoy’s publicly known children have names connected to famous international footballers.

Are Aníbal Godoy’s Sons Interested in Football?

Football has naturally become part of life for Godoy’s sons. During his Nashville years, he explained that his younger son enjoyed kicking a ball around after school.

The family’s involvement with football has continued in San Diego. In 2026, San Diego FC reported that one of Godoy’s sons plays organized soccer and that the midfielder tries to attend his matches whenever his own demanding playing schedule allows.

Godoy said that because his profession involves frequent matches and international travel with Panama, he tries to make the most of every opportunity he gets to spend with his wife and children.

Who Are Aníbal Godoy’s Parents?

Aníbal Godoy’s parents are Cristóbal Godoy and Damaris Lemus. Both influenced him in different ways during his childhood in Panama.

His father was directly connected to football and helped create Aníbal’s love for the sport. His mother, meanwhile, encouraged him to concentrate on his education before football began showing signs that it could become a professional career.

Godoy has remained close to both parents. When he reached 100 appearances for Panama in 2021, he specifically included his parents, who were living in Panama, among the family members to whom he dedicated the milestone.

Who Is Aníbal Godoy’s Father, Cristóbal Godoy?

Aníbal Godoy’s father is Cristóbal Aníbal Godoy, better known in Panamanian football circles by the nickname “Samurai”.

Cristóbal played football professionally in Panama, primarily as a defender. Aníbal has described his father as a tough center-back whose aggressive defensive style earned him nicknames including “Samurai” and “Carnicero.”

That reputation later influenced Aníbal’s own nickname. Because his father was known as Samurai, the younger Godoy became known to some Panamanian football followers as “Samurai Jr.”.

How Cristóbal Godoy Inspired His Son

Aníbal has repeatedly credited his father with introducing him to football. As a child, he accompanied Cristóbal to training sessions and helped carry his equipment.

Being around his father’s football environment sparked his interest in the sport. By six or seven years old, Aníbal was already playing, and at around 16 he began believing that a professional career was genuinely possible.

San Diego FC documented this influence in 2026, with Godoy explaining that his father’s playing career helped him fall in love with football before he eventually established a career of his own.

Who Is Aníbal Godoy’s Mother, Damaris Lemus?

Aníbal Godoy’s mother is Damaris Lemus. Unlike Cristóbal, she has generally stayed away from the football spotlight, but her identity has been documented by Panamanian sports media.

Damaris emphasized education during Aníbal’s childhood. Godoy recalled that his mother wanted him to concentrate on his studies, even as his interest in football increased.

His outlook began changing around age 16, when he started receiving national-team opportunities and realized that football could provide a genuine professional future.

Damaris has remained an important figure in his life, and Panamanian television has previously featured her in content celebrating the mothers of national-team footballers.

Does Aníbal Godoy Have Siblings?

Information about Aníbal Godoy’s siblings is considerably less clear than information about his parents, wife and children.

Some secondary biographies claim that Godoy grew up with an older brother and a younger sister. However, authoritative club, federation and mainstream interviews do not clearly document their identities.

For that reason, the names and exact number of his siblings should be treated as publicly unconfirmed unless Godoy or a reliable primary source provides further information.

Aníbal Godoy’s Childhood in Panama

Aníbal Casis Godoy Lemus was born on February 10, 1990, in Panama City. He has described growing up around Calle 15 in Santa Ana and experiencing a childhood that included financial and personal challenges but also many happy memories.

Football became his main passion. He began playing organized soccer at approximately seven years old and later entered the Chepo FC system.

At 16, Godoy made his professional debut with Chepo. Around the same period, he began receiving opportunities with Panama’s youth national teams, convincing him that football could become his career.

How Aníbal Godoy’s Family Supported His Career

Godoy’s family has remained one of the central themes throughout his career. His father provided the original football inspiration, while his mother emphasized discipline and education.

As an adult, Tatiana and their children became his main support system as football took him thousands of miles away from Panama.

When Godoy spent time playing in Hungary with Budapest Honvéd, separation from family was one of the most difficult aspects of life abroad. His later move to Major League Soccer allowed him to establish a more stable family life in the United States.

Godoy has repeatedly said that difficult football results become easier to handle when he returns home to his family.

Aníbal Godoy’s Family Life in San Diego

Godoy joined San Diego FC ahead of the club’s inaugural MLS season in 2025. His wife and children became part of another major relocation after the family’s previous years in San Jose and Nashville.

San Diego FC’s 2026 profile showed that family remains central to his routine. On days away from football, Godoy said he enjoys taking his family to the beach, exploring the city and attending his son’s soccer games whenever possible.

His demanding schedule as both a San Diego FC midfielder and Panama captain means those opportunities can sometimes be limited, making family time especially valuable to him.

FAQ About Aníbal Godoy’s Family

Who is Aníbal Godoy’s wife?

Aníbal Godoy’s wife is Tatiana Pérez. The couple have reportedly been together since Godoy was around 16 years old.

Does Aníbal Godoy have children?

Yes. Godoy has two sons with Tatiana Pérez: Neymar Isaac and Andrey.

Why did Aníbal Godoy name his son Neymar?

His oldest son was named Neymar because of the family’s admiration for Brazilian football star Neymar. Tatiana Pérez played an important role in choosing the name.

Who is Aníbal Godoy’s oldest son?

His oldest son is Neymar Isaac Godoy, born on July 3, 2011.

Who is Aníbal Godoy’s younger son?

His younger son is Andrey, whose name was reportedly inspired by former Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Who are Aníbal Godoy’s parents?

Aníbal Godoy’s parents are Cristóbal “Samurai” Godoy and Damaris Lemus.

Who is Aníbal Godoy’s father?

His father is former Panamanian footballer Cristóbal Godoy, nicknamed “Samurai.” His playing career had a major influence on Aníbal’s decision to pursue football.

Who is Aníbal Godoy’s mother?

His mother is Damaris Lemus. Godoy has said that she encouraged him to prioritize his studies while he was growing up.

Does Aníbal Godoy have siblings?

Some secondary sources say Godoy has an older brother and a younger sister, but reliable primary and mainstream football sources do not clearly document their identities. As of now, detailed information about his siblings remains publicly unconfirmed.

Where is Aníbal Godoy’s family from?

Godoy was born and raised in Panama City, Panama. His parents remained in Panama after his professional career took him abroad, while his wife and children have lived with him during much of his career in the United States.