AC Milan's star, Theo Hernandez, was interviewed by Diario AS, one of the major Spanish newspapers. Below are his statements.
On Milan as an ideal habitat:
"Without a doubt, both from a sporting and personal point of view. I feel very good here. I feel completely at ease in this wonderful city that welcomed me from day one as if it were my home forever. Everything has been easy from the start. I have started a family, I feel loved, and I am very happy."
Best moment of your career?
"I believe so. I am convinced. It is true that a player never stops improving, but I think I am in an ideal moment of maturity. Also, I feel the confidence of the coach and my teammates, and this is reflected on the field."
On Stefano Pioli, Theo said:
"Pioli is someone very close to the players and someone who has believed in me at all times. He has given me maximum confidence to express my qualities, and I have tried to repay him on the field with my work. I am very grateful to him both personally and professionally because he has been a key figure in improving my performances."
On the experience as a central defender:
"The truth is that I have always played as a full-back and it is the position where I feel most comfortable. However, since I arrived in Milan, I have placed a lot of emphasis on improving my defensive game, and this makes me feel more comfortable in that position than I could have imagined at the beginning. I have proven to myself that I can play at a good level even in that position."
On the meeting with Paolo Maldini in Ibiza:
"To be honest, the first time I saw a legend like him, coming to talk to me, I was a little nervous. He was very clear from the beginning, he explained the project, what he wanted from me, and he told me that with him I would become one of the best in the world, something that was reason enough not to hesitate to want to go to Milan. It was very important. Milan showed total interest from the first moment. It was the club with the most European Cups after Real Madrid and the fact that a figure like Maldini explained the project to me in person was crucial for me and my agents. It is an entity that has been working very well for years and is consolidating very solid foundations that are translating into sporting success. Milan is returning to its place. The decision to come to Milan was a total success for me."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic's role, as a teammate and then as a director, Theo said:
"Ibra is a natural leader. Even in moments when he could not help us on the field, his mere presence in the dressing room meant that no one relaxed for a second. He transmits his winning character. Now he has moved away from the field, but he is still close to the team, he continues to help understand what Milan is and the enormous commitment that wearing this shirt entails."
On Real Madrid:
"For Real Madrid, I only have words of gratitude for the huge bet they made on me at that time. I am a person who prefers to look forward and focus all my thoughts on the present and the most immediate future, but as a grateful person that I am, I hold that great club in my heart. Probably the ideal circumstances did not occur at that time for me to show the potential and enthusiasm I had, but I reiterate my thanks to them."
Returning to Real?
"I am more inclined to think day by day, not so much about the future. At Real Madrid, I have great friends and fantastic memories both of the club and its fans, but now I am a player of Milan, I feel very good here, and I don't think about anything else. I am completely focused on what I have to do every day with this shirt. You never know what life will bring, but I live the present for emotions and professionalism. Nobody knows the future. There are still many matches to play this season with Milan, and I really only think about what I have to do on the field."
Do you see a better full-back than you?
"I don't think it's up to me to give a verdict on that. Something I can say is that I work day after day to continue improving, and on the field, I don't feel inferior to anyone."
On the interrupted journey in the Champions League:
"Did it disappoint me? Without a doubt. Our journey last year in the Champions League was very nice, and I work every day to experience those moments and play those matches of such great significance. We wanted to be at least at the same level as the previous edition, but unfortunately, this year it was not possible. I believe the team made a great effort in the last match of the group stage. At least we are still alive in the Europa League."
About Brahim Diaz:
"From the moment he arrived in Milan, we had a great connection, both on and off the field. We have spent many beautiful moments together, and I am very happy with how things are going for him. He deserves it. I know he has worked very hard, and I also know that he has the level necessary to play at Real Madrid. Do I keep in touch? Of course, he is a great friend. Our friendship goes beyond the field, and the truth is that in terms of sports, I could give him few pieces of advice since he has very clear goals and how to achieve them. I am very happy for his successes."
On who is harder to stop between Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, or Erling Haaland:
"Difficult. Allow me not to make a decision. All of them, for the great world-class category they have, are almost impossible to stop when they are on their day."
Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid?
"I have never asked him anything about it, but Kylian is intelligent, and I am convinced that he will make the right decision for his professional career. I would advise him to make the decision that he considers best for his professional career and his personal satisfaction. In the end, the most important thing is to feel fulfilled and happy."
On the rivalry with Inter, which is top of the table, Theo said:
"In this city, football is in the air, and everyone talks about football. It is almost mandatory to support one of the two big teams, and certainly, as a Milan supporter, it is more annoying that the leader is the great rival. However, I am a very ambitious person, and if the champion were another team different from Milan, it would bother me the same. More passionate, the Milan or Madrid derby? Difficult choice. Both rivalries are intense in their own way. They are great duels, whether in Madrid or Milan. I couldn't say which one is more passionate because both have a special meaning for the fans. I have had the fortune to live and enjoy both experiences."
On the challenges with his brother Lucas Hernandez:
"Fortunately for both of us, we do not play in the same position, and there are few moments in the matches when we meet. Almost better that way because we are both very competitive, and the clash could end in tragedy (laughs)."
On who will win the Champions League:
"I don't think about the possible victories of another team other than Milan, and I focus on the competitions we are playing. If you ask me a player I would like to see lifting the trophy, I would say my brother, as it is obvious. Inter-Atletico? Very intense. They are two powerful teams, it will be a very balanced duel, and sparks will fly. Barcelona-Napoli? The one who deserves it most will go through."
On the European Championship:
"I believe we have a great team and a fantastic coaching staff. All the players who are called up are phenomenal, and regardless of who the final squad is, I know it will be a great team, and we aspire to everything."
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