Hernandez discusses potential Real Madrid return but says he is ‘totally focused’

AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez has discussed the possibility of him playing for Real Madrid again in the future, but also stressed how focused he is on succeeding with the Rossoneri.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, the French defender spoke glowingly about his time at Milan and the people that he works with, but was predictably asked about whether his future lies elsewhere.

Hernandez used to play for Real Madrid as a young player, joining them from Atletico Madrid. He signed for Milan from Real Madrid in 2019, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side appear to be in the market for a new left-back to replace Ferland Mendy.

Talking about the situation, he said: “For Madrid I only have words of gratitude due to the strong commitment they made for me at the time. I am a person who likes to look ahead and I focus all my thoughts on the present and the most immediate future, but as a grateful person that I am, I keep that great club in my heart.”

He was also asked about whether he was angry to have not succeeded there originally: “Possibly the ideal circumstances did not exist at that time for me to demonstrate the potential and enthusiasm I had, but I reiterate my gratitude to them.”

One the idea of returning to the Spanish capital, he said: “I think more about the day to day, not so much about the future. At Real Madrid I have great friends and fantastic memories of both the club and its fans, but now I am a Milan player, I feel very good here and I don’t think about other things. I am totally focused on what I have to do each day with this shirt.

“We never know what life is going to bring us, but I live in the present for emotions and professionalism. Nobody knows the future. There are still many games to face this season with Milan and I really only think about what I have to do on the pitch.”

Focusing more on Milan, Hernandez agreed that he has found his home in northern Italy and is very happy in his surroundings.

“Without a doubt, both sportingly and personally. I feel very good here. I am totally devoted to this wonderful city that welcomed me from the first day as if it were my lifelong home. Everything was easy from the first moment. I have started a family, I feel loved and I am very happy,” Hernandez said.

Asked if this is the best period of his career, the French defender said: “I think so. I am convinced of it. It is true that a player never stops improving, but I think I am at a moment of ideal maturity. Furthermore, I feel the confidence of the coach and my teammates and it shows on the field.”

Stefano Pioli comes under almost constant fire when Milan are not close to winning the title, but Hernandez only had good things to say about the coach.

“Pioli is a person who is very close to the player and someone who has supported me at all times. He has given me maximum confidence so that I can exploit my qualities and I have tried to repay him on the field of play with my work. I am very grateful to him both personally and professionally because he has been a key person in improving my performance,” he said.

Having to play at centre-back

“The truth is that all my life I have played as a winger and it is the position in which I feel most comfortable. Even so, since I arrived in Milan I put a lot of emphasis on improving my defensive side and that makes it a position in which I feel more comfortable than I could have initially expected. I have proven to myself that I can play at a good level in that area as well.”

Meeting Paolo Maldini before the move

“To be honest, the first time I saw a legend like him, who came to talk to me, I got a little nervous. He was very clear from the first moment, he explained the project to me, what he wanted from me and told me that with him I would be one of the best in the world, something that was reason enough for me not to hesitate in wanting to go to Milan.”

Potentially choosing Bayer Leverkusen over Milan

“My agent informs me when things are very specific and I was aware that at that time several teams had a strong interest in me, but in the end the decision to come to Milan was the correct one. Time has proven me right.”

Maldini’s trip to Ibiza to see him

“That was very important. Milan showed total interest from the first moment. It was the club with the most European Cups after Real Madrid and having a figure like Maldini explain the project to me in first person was crucial for my agents and me. It is an entity that has been working very well for years and laying very solid foundations that are translating into sporting successes. Milan returns to its rightful place. The decision to come to Milan was a total success for me.”

Brahim Diaz’s performances in Madrid

“From the moment he arrived in Milan we had a great connection, both off and on the field. We have spent many very good times together and I am very happy with how things are going. He deserves it. I know that he has worked very hard and also that he has the necessary level to play for Real Madrid.

“Of course [we remain in contact], he is a great friend. Our friendship goes beyond the playing field and the truth is that in the sporting aspect I have been able to give him little advice, since he is very clear about what he wants and how to get it. I am very happy about his success.”

Who is harder to defend against; Vinicius Jr, Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe?

“Difficult. All of them, due to the world-class quality they have, are almost impossible to stop when they are having a good day.”

Ibrahimovic’s return to Milan

“Ibra is a born leader. Even in the moments when he couldn’t help us from the field, his mere presence in his locker room made no one relax for a second. He infects you with his winning character. Now he has left the field, but he is still close to the squad, he continues to help understand what Milan is and the great demands of wearing this shirt.”

Inter’s impressive season

“In this city you breathe football and everyone talks about football. It is almost mandatory to support one of the two big teams and of course it annoys a Milan fan more that the leader is your great rival. Even so, I am a very ambitious person and if the champion were another team other than Milan it would also bother me.”

How did losing the Champions League semi-final to Inter compare with the World Cup final?

“I don’t like to compare sadness. They are certainly two of the hardest moments of my career and I still remember them. However, I try to use these bitter memories as motivation so that the opposite happens next time.”

Was it tough not to get into the Champions League round of 16?

“Definitely. Our journey last year in the Champions League was something very beautiful and I work every day to live those moments and to play those games with such an impact. We wanted to be at least at the same level as the previous edition, but unfortunately this year it could not be. I think the team made a great effort in the last game of the group stage. At least we are still alive in European competition, even if it is the Europa League.”

His pink hair

“My wife liked it, I dared to do it and in the end it turned out well.”