Hector Hevel
.jpg) Hevel with ADO Den Haag in 2015 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Hector Alexander Hevel Serrano | ||
| Date of birth | 15 May 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Leidschendam, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2004 | Voorschoten '97 | ||
| 2004–2014 | ADO Den Haag | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2017 | ADO Den Haag | 11 | (0) |
| 2017–2020 | AEK Larnaca | 74 | (5) |
| 2020–2023 | Andorra | 83 | (11) |
| 2023–2024 | Cartagena | 15 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Guangxi Pingguo | 28 | (4) |
| 2025 | Portimonense | 13 | (0) |
| 2025 | Johor Darul Ta'zim | 5 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2012 | Netherlands U16 | 3 | (0) |
| 2015 | Netherlands U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2025 | Malaysia | 2 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 21:22, 7 October 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 June 2025 | |||
Hector Alexander Hevel Serrano (born 15 May 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for Malaysia Super League club Johor Darul Ta'zim.[1] A former Dutch youth international, he played for the Malaysia national team twice.[2] However, he is currently suspended from all football related activities after being sanctioned by FIFA in September 2025 for providing forged documents related to his Malaysian ancestry.
Club career
[edit]AEK Larnaca
[edit]In January 2017, Hevel signed with Cypriot First Division club AEK Larnaca, where he played 74 league matches and scored five goals over three and a half seasons. During his tenure, he contributed to the team's success in winning the 2017–18 Cypriot Cup and the 2018 Cypriot Super Cup.[3]
FC Andorra
[edit]In October 2020, Hevel joined FC Andorra, competing in Spain's Segunda División B. He played a pivotal role in the team's promotion to the Segunda División in the 2021–22 season, making 83 league appearances and netting 11 goals during his time with the club.[4]
FC Cartagena
[edit]In June 2023 Hevel signed a contract with fellow Spanish Segunda División side FC Cartagena, where he made 15 league appearances.[5]
Guangxi Pingguo Haliao
[edit]On 4 January 2024, Hevel signed with China League One club Guangxi Pingguo Haliao.[6]
Portimonense
[edit]As of February 2025, Hevel signed with Portuguese club Portimonense S.C., where he has made six appearances in the Liga Portugal 2.[7]
Johor Darul Ta'zim
[edit]On 23 June 2025, Hevel was announced as the latest signing for Malaysian Super League side Johor Darul Ta'zim.[8]
International career
[edit]In March 2025, it was reported that Hevel had been called up to the Malaysia national team due to claims of eligibility through descent. His club Portimonense announced his call-up on social media, indicating that he would join the Malaysia squad for the upcoming international fixtures.[7]
On 19 March 2025, Hevel officially joined the national training camp in Johor Bahru.[9][10] The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed his participation in the squad preparing for the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.[11][12]
Hevel made his international debut for Malaysia on 25 March 2025 in a 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Nepal, held at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri. He started as a central midfielder and scored the opening goal in the 29th minute, a deflected long-range strike that gave Malaysia a 1–0 lead in the first half.[13] The goal capped off an organised build-up sequence and effective second-ball control.[14][15] Hevel expressed gratitude for the support from teammates and coaching staff, stating that the short acclimatisation period required him to quickly adapt through active communication and training-ground collaboration.[16] He described the debut as one of the most memorable moments of his career and conveyed excitement about contributing to Malaysia’s footballing ambitions.[14] A technical issue during the match resulted in his goal not being recorded in the official video broadcast.[17]
In September 2025, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Hevel, and six other Malaysian heritage players were sanctioned by FIFA due to falsification and forgery of documents regarding the seven players' eligibility to play for Malaysia in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam. Each player was fined CHF 2,000 (around MYR 10,560) and were suspended from all football related activities for 12 months. FAM has confirmed it will file an appeal against FIFA's ruling.[18][19]
Style of play
[edit]Hevel is recognised for his technical proficiency and positional versatility in midfield. Capable of operating in both central and attacking roles, he contributes to ball distribution, build-up play, and transitional phases. His style of play is marked by spatial awareness, accurate passing, and tactical intelligence.[9] Following his international debut for Malaysia in March 2025, local media noted his composure, effective distribution, and involvement in attacking build-up. His performance also drew comparisons among supporters to the playing style of Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, particularly for his creativity and control in the attacking third.[15][20]
Personal life
[edit]Born in Netherlands, Hevel claimed to be of Malaysian descent through his grandfather, who was said to originally hail from Malacca, Malaysia.[21]
FIFA recently launched an investigation through its Disciplinary Committee where it was found that Hevel's grandfather was born in The Hague, Netherlands, not in Malacca, Malaysia.[22]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 11 May 2025[23]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| ADO Den Haag | 2014–15 | Eredivisie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Eredivisie | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2016–17 | Eredivisie | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| Total | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||||
| AEK Larnaca | 2016–17 | Cypriot First Division | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | 9 | 2 | |||
| 2017–18 | Cypriot First Division | 25 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8[b] | 1 | — | 39 | 4 | ||
| 2018–19 | Cypriot First Division | 23 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 12[b] | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 40 | 2 | |
| 2019–20 | Cypriot First Division | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6[b] | 2 | — | 25 | 4 | ||
| Total | 74 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 113 | 11 | ||
| Andorra | 2020–21 | Primera División RFEF | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
| 2021–22 | Primera División RFEF | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 33 | 6 | ||
| 2022–23 | Segunda División | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 | |||
| Total | 83 | 11 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 86 | 11 | |||
| Cartagena | 2023–24 | Segunda División | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | ||
| Guangxi Pingguo Haliao | 2024 | China League One | 28 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 4 | ||
| Portimonense | 2024–25 | Liga Portugal 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 224 | 20 | 19 | 3 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 261 | 26 | ||
- ^ Includes KNVB Cup, Cypriot Cup, Copa del Rey, Chinese FA Cup
- ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearance in Cypriot Super Cup
International
[edit]- As of match played 10 June 2025
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 2025 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 2 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hevel goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 March 2025 | Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia |  Nepal |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
Honours
[edit]AEK Larnaca
Johor Darul Ta'zim
References
[edit]- ^ Timesport (23 June 2025). "Hevel becomes latest Harimau Malaya star to join JDT". New Straits Times. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ Saktesh, S. (14 March 2025). "Heritage player Hector set to join Harimau Malaya". The Star. Star Media Group. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "Cyprus 2017/18". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "FC Andorra promoted to Segunda División". Marca. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "Hector Hevel, una zurda de calidad para el centro del campo del Efesé" [Hector Hevel, a left foot of quality for the centre of the midfield of Efesé] (in Spanish). FC Cartagena. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "官方：27岁荷兰中场赫维尔加盟广西平果哈嘹" [Official: 27-year-old Dutch midfielder Hevel joins Guangxi Pingguo Haliao]. dongqiudi.com (in Chinese). 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b Azharie, Farah (14 March 2025). "Portimonense's Serrano to join Harimau Malaya?". New Straits Times. NST. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ Timesport (23 June 2025). "Hevel becomes latest Harimau Malaya star to join JDT". New Straits Times. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ a b Azharie, Farah (20 March 2025). "Harimau Malaya unveil two more foreign-born players". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Musa, Muzaffar (19 March 2025). "Selamat datang! Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero sah pemain warisan baru Harimau Malaya" [Welcome! Hector Hevel and Gabriel Palmero officially confirmed as Harimau Malaya heritage players]. Stadium Astro (in Malay). Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Adam, Wan (19 March 2025). "Hector Hevel & Gabriel Palmero Turun Ke Sesi Latihan Harimau Malaya" [Hector Hevel and Gabriel Palmero participate in Harimau Malaya training session]. MakanBola (in Malay). Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Muhamad, Mohd. Fitrie (19 March 2025). "Hevel dan Palmero sudah sertai latihan rasmi" [Hevel and Palmero have officially joined training]. Kosmo! (in Malay). Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Hashim, Mohamad Faizal (25 March 2025). "Hector letak Malaysia mendahului Nepal 1-0" [Hector puts Malaysia ahead of Nepal 1-0]. Kosmo! (in Malay). Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Hector Hevel cemerlang debut bersama Harimau Malaya" [Hector Hevel shines on debut with Harimau Malaya]. HarimauMalaya.com.my (in Malay). 26 March 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ a b Rajan, K. (26 March 2025). "Hevel 'proud to wear Harimau Malaya jersey' in dream debut". New Straits Times. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Kelayakan Piala Asia: Saya mahu berikan segalanya buat negara kita - Hector Hevel" [Asian Cup Qualification: I want to give everything for our country – Hector Hevel]. Astro Awani (in Malay). 26 March 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Hashim, Mohamad Faizal (27 March 2025). "Hector Hevel kecewa gol debut 'hilang'" [Hector Hevel disappointed debut goal ‘missing’]. Kosmo! (in Malay). Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "FIFA Sanctions On FAM: AFC Awaits Football Tribunal Verdict". Bernama. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Nair, Rohith; Latiff, Rozanna (26 September 2025). "Malaysian players banned after using forged documents to play qualifier v Vietnam". Reuters. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Aznan, Syafiq (26 March 2025). "Hevel plays like Bruno Fernandes, say Harimau Malaya fans". New Straits Times. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "My Malaysian heritage comes from my grandfather — he's from Melacca". New Straits Times. 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Football Association of Malaysia Decision" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Hector Hevel at Soccerway
- ^ "Cyprus 2017/18". RSSSF. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ "LES RÉSULTATS DU MATCH APOEL - AEK LARNACA, COMPTE, STATISTIQUES, RÉSULTATS". football24.cm. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
External links
[edit]- Hector Hevel at BDFutbol
- Hector Hevel at Soccerway