The French star of AC Milan, Theo Hernandez, spoke to the microphones of L'Equipe and he had an interesting conversation that started by talking about:
The brothers Hervé and Patrick Revelli, who are the last siblings to wear French national team's jersey together in 1973:
"It's been almost fifty years. We are part of history. It's amazing for us and our family. We were hoping for this moment with Lucas. When I saw him arrive at the national team (March 2018) win the World Cup, it strengthened my motivation even more. Our destiny is fantastic. In addition by winning a trophy both with this League of Nations. We dedicate it to our mom, Laurence. She always gave everything for us. She has already framed our two jerseys in the France team in the house of Madrid. She even had a collector's item made in blue with our two first names and numbers!"
When did you start believing in the national team's call?
"Before the Euro. I was a bit disappointed not to be there. I was coming out of a big season with AC Milan. I believed it. But I redoubled my work. I did things well. I was rewarded", said Theo Hernandez
Was that phone call celebration a message for Didier Deschamps (France's national team coach):
"It was a wink, a nice way to tell him to call me! My first convocation (August 2021), I learned about it from my mother and my uncle Didier. I was interviewed at the Milanello training center. When I got out, I had lots of messages from them. My mom was crying on the phone. My grandma and my grandpa were also very moved. But I was even happier for them. Lucas was also proud of me."
You can play in the same position with Lucas, is there a competition?
"It can exist sportingly, but it is healthy. Lucas didn't play in the Nations League final against Spain. But he was happy for me as if it were him. At half-time, he would tell me stuff, give me tips. We will always be two brothers before being two players. Lucas and I are almost one. Our joys are always shared. We are also like that in life. We are always happy for each other. We have experienced so many things together with our mom that it has welded us forever. It is perhaps no coincidence that we can hold the same position today. We have always copied each other a little. Or is it rather me, the little one, who copied the big one!"
Now, you pushed your brother back as a central defender with your arrival...
"This is his real place. I think coach Didier knows it too. He is playing more and more like that with Bayern Munich. Finally, it's perfect for us to play even more often both in the national team."
Is the 3-5-2 your favourite system?
"It is the best for my qualities. I attack more than I defend. I have the whole flank for me this way. I also know that I have security behind me when I attack. It's different when you play with a 4-man defence. In that way, I am not as free offensively."
Theo Hernandez is 24 but played with big clubs already like AC Milan, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid...
"I found the right club at the right time. There is a great team in the making. We feel that Milan is coming back to life. The people around are great too. That's why I extended my contract until 2026. There is everything to enjoy football and life at Milan. Now we have to win a title. This is what we need to put AC Milan back in its right place, at the top."
You already wore the captain's armband this season...
"I am the 3rd or 4th captain in the hierarchy. There is Romagnoli, Kessié, Calabria or Simon (Kjaer) in front of me. But with the injuries or the Covid-19, I had it for three matches. At 24, it's great to be the captain of Milan! You talk more, you command more, you even feel stronger. It was the first time in my career that I had the armband. Even among youth sectors, I was never captain. It's a great experience.."
Theo Hernandez on Paolo Maldini:
"If I signed at AC Milan, it is largely thanks to him. I was very close to committing to Bayer Leverkusen. He turned everything upside down. He came to see me on vacation in Ibiza. We talked 100% football. I quickly felt that this was where I had to go. He told me a lot of good things about my game and my progress. There is no better reference to my position and to Milan."
On Stefano Pioli:
"As soon as he arrived, he insisted that I play as I am. He even freed me. He understood my nature, my strength and did not restrain me."
Best numbers in the top 5 leagues: 17 goals and 17 assists in 89 Serie A games:
"I exploded at this level at Milan. Before, I was much less decisive. It reinforces my idea that I have to play this way. I have attacking DNA in a defensive body. I progressed in front of goal at Milan. Something clicked with Pioli. In the France team, coach Didier also tells me to try, to push myself (laughs). But he also tells me not to forget to defend!"
On playing with the likes of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé:
"I enjoy it. Against Belgium, Karim sees me and leaves me (the ball). We both know each other. We played a season together at Real Madrid (2017-2018). He quickly put me at ease when I arrived in selection. There was no Lucas and I sat down with him at the table. We've always had a great relationship. It's the same with Kylian. I know him from the French youth teams... There is also Antoine (Griezmann) . We had a great time together at Atlético. We saw each other in Madrid. We often speak in Spanish in selection with Lucas. This agreement is found on the pitch."
Knowing that Lucas is behind you, like against Belgium, does it reassure you?
"He knows better than anyone how I play. There is this complicity that makes him talk to me more, that he tells me to go to the end or to defend more. He can afford more things with me. He helps me more because he has experience in both positions. Lucas is a real defender, unlike me. We sometimes occupy the same place but we are not the same players."
Theo Hernandez added:
"Lucas is a central defender who was put on the left by Cholo (Diego Simeone) at Atlético de Madrid. He stayed there for a while, he can help out, but his best position is in the central area. Me, I've always played left back as a pro. I started as a striker or attacking midfielder but I quickly fell back around 15. I only have one place. It's in this lane. I have the speed, crossing and shooting. I just need to keep improving my defensive behaviour."
