Dávid Hancko was born on 13 December 1997 in Prievidza, Slovakia. He emerged through MŠK Žilina's academy, made his Slovak Super Liga debut in 2016, and was named one of UEFA's most promising 2018 talents. Fiorentina signed him in June 2018, but his Italian spell was limited; a 2019 loan to Sparta Prague turned permanent in 2021 and he won the 2022–23 Czech First League with the club.
Feyenoord paid €6 million in August 2022 and Hancko quickly became one of the Eredivisie's standout defenders, captaining the club at points and contributing to the 2022–23 Eredivisie title and 2023–24 KNVB Cup. After almost finalising a Saudi Pro League move to Al-Nassr in summer 2025, he chose Atlético Madrid instead, signing a five-year contract. He scored his first La Liga goal in December 2025 in a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven.
Hancko captains Slovakia and has earned 59 senior caps with 7 goals, leading the country at UEFA Euro 2024. The 1.88 m left-footed defender plays primarily as a centre-back but is comfortable at left-back, and combines physical presence with willingness to step into possession-based attacks. He won the 2018 Peter Dubovský Award (Slovakia's top young footballer) and continues to add to a Slovak national team career increasingly defined by leadership and tournament football.