Theo Hernandez He chose in 2019 to defend the colors of France. He was able to do it with Spain, but he made an important decision in his life and in Les Bleus He has been consolidated with Deschamps for some time. He was on the verge of winning a World Cup in Doha and hopes to remove the thorn. But not the only one. In Spain, luck eluded him, but he hopes to return and demonstrate his talent. Arabia is therefore not taken as a retreat. Offensive winger, fast within a team of sprinters, he is Deschamps’ dagger on the left side. He hopes to fire the coach as he deserves and waits for Zidane, with whom he touched glory in 2017 at Real Madrid when he was only 18 years old. Theo sits down with MARCA before the premiere Senegal to talk about what he considers the most difficult World Cup in history.
Question: To begin with, what is your assessment of your season in Arabia?
Answer: I’m very happy, I didn’t think it would be like this. When people tell you to be careful there, the truth is that it is not like that. I have adapted very well to the team and the city and the most important thing is that my family, my wife and my children, are also doing well.
Q. Benzema has joined, he looks in shape as always…
R. The truth is that yes, he is fine with us, he is very well physically, he is an incredible person, a great player and he gives us a lot of encouragement.
I was in Madrid when I was 18 and it is not easy, but it is true that you are left with that thorn that I did not give everything in Spain
Q. Is Arabia already taken as the prelude to withdrawal?
R. This is not the last step at all, I hope to return to Europe one day to play, I signed three years in Arabia and I am happy, then I don’t know what will happen, but I hope to return to Europe.
Q. France seems the big favorite with that attack they have…
R. Everyone says that we have the best attack in the world, it is true that there are incredible players, a great team, but you have to think about number 16 against Senegal and there are very good teams. We don’t have to go with the peace of mind of thinking that we are going to win.
Q. You feel that you have to earn your position, although you almost always end up appearing in the big tournaments…
R. It is true that with the players we have it is sometimes difficult to play, but I am calm, available, I always want to play and see how things go.
I don’t take Arabia as the end, I hope to play in the League again
Q. What do you think of those who say that France should play much better with the team it has?
R. Everyone can say what they think, we know the team and the players we have, if people say we can play better it is not our problem. Let’s go as usual.
Q. Winning the World Cup is also the best farewell for Deschamps, is there talk about that and the arrival of Zidane?
R. It is true that I have been here since 2021, I have a very good relationship with him, he is a great coach and a great person. I was with Zidane in Madrid for a year and he is a great person and a great coach. We’ll see how it goes, I think it’s good, with the players we have it’s also easier to train.
Deschamps is a great coach, with Zidane I was already at Madrid and he is also a great coach and with the players there are it is easier to train
Q. With that offensive power, I imagine that it is even more complicated for the defense…
R. We defenders have to work to prevent them from scoring, but we are all here to defend and attack, and that is the most important thing to be able to win.
Q. Do you see Spain as the other big favorite?
R. There is Spain, but there are more favorites, also Portugal, which has a great team, England, Brazil… I think it is the most difficult World Cup.
Q. Is there a desire for revenge with Spain after the defeat in the Euro?
R. I have had a thorn in my side, but no resentment. There are times you win and other times you lose. It’s football, but we’re going to the World Cup to go to the end.
Q. What do you think of the criticism of Mbappé at Real Madrid?
R. I watch Madrid games and the criticism of Kylian seems a little unfair to me with the player he is, one of the best in the world, but I also understand Madrid because I was there for a year and it is not easy at all. I was 18 years old, but the pressure you have there… Kylian is a leader for us and I think that in Madrid too. He just wants to win, but I think he is used to criticism, I have seen him well.
Q. Do you see him wanting to vindicate himself?
R. Of course, he and the entire team are super focused, super focused for this World Cup.
Q. You have shone in a club like Milan, you even surpassed Maldini as the defender with the highest scorer, don’t you also have a thorn in your side for not having left more in Spanish football?
R. It is true that when I arrived at Madrid I was very young and the best option was Milan and I had a great time there, it was my home, and it is true that you are left with that thorn that I did not give everything to achieve what I wanted as a player in Spain, but I gave everything at Milan and I hope to return to Spain one day.
A final against Spain would be good, but there are other great teams
Q. Atlético was an option last summer…
R. There were several offers and some options like others, but in the end I talked about it with my agent and my family and I think the best option was Arabia.
Q. Would you sign a final with Spain?
R. It would be good to meet Spain, but also against other teams.
Q. Is the World Cup the best for any player?
R. It is the most you can win and you always dream of participating. There are people who say that five Champions Leagues is better than one World Cup, but I believe that all players dream of winning the World Cup.
