It is the part in which he talks about “values” that hurt the club’s sensitivity. A protagonist — and a professional — for long stretches of his Rossoneri experience, Theo Hernandez had then ended up at the center of criticism for his regressed performances. Technically empty and, considering that the topic is “values,” lacking competitive substance. The club had nonetheless protected him, even when certain distracted performances seemed like the consequence of what was happening in Theo’s life off the pitch. The drop in form became drastic toward the end: between the turbo-charged version of Theo and the latest one where he was playing with the handbrake on, something had clearly happened. The chain of disobediences and errors in the last season also compromised the team’s performance: from the rebellious cooling break to the simulation — earning a red card — in the Champions League against Feyenoord, as relayed via La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Yesterday, at the time of the farewell, Milan thanked him for the seasons spent together, wishing him personal and sporting success. On X, an emotional video of over fifty seconds was also posted, retracing his deeds, focusing only on the heroic ones: his runs, his goals, the Scudetto, the Italian Super Cup, the smiles and the eccentricities.
Theo, instead, bid farewell using very different tones. After a sweet beginning follows a much more bitter part. “
Today I leave after having lived unforgettable moments, like the Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup victory, and above all after sharing the dressing room with extraordinary people. Heartfelt thanks to my teammates, to every coach who believed in me, and in particular to Paolo Maldini, for his closeness, vision, and leadership. And thanks to the Rossoneri supporters, who were always present, in good times and in difficult ones. Feeling your support was a privilege I will never forget and will carry forever in my heart. My decision to leave was not easy. I have always known where I wanted to be, and Milan has always been my priority. But unfortunately, not everything depends on one person.”
True, for the Rossoneri, Hernandez had long been out of the group. For the club, he could have been sold to Como in the winter for nearly fifty million, and the same negotiation with Al Hilal could have been concluded at the beginning of June. At the same time, in order to stay a Rossonero (beyond the 2026 expiry), Theo was asking for a richer contract than his current one — not exactly in line with his performance.
Theo again:
"The direction the club has taken and some recent decisions do not reflect the values nor the ambition that brought me here.” By “here” he means the Saudi League — not one of the most competitive leagues in the world. No other concrete European offer had arrived for his agent. More than about ambition, Milan has just relaunched with Allegri on the bench and Modric officially a Rossonero as of yesterday, it is on the subject of values, the ones that differ, that Milan was left disappointed. Very much so. Theo was defended and protected both in sporting and family matters. Now it will be up to Simone Inzaghi’s side, to whom Hernandez has promised “hard work and commitment,” smiling happily in his new blue shirt.
This was reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
