Theo Hernandez wants to win the World Cup for France. And for his big brother. (More Football News)
Lu🐓cas Hernandez was in tears when he ruptured the ACL in his right knee early in France's 4-1 win against ꦅAustralia last week. His brother Theo replaced him at left back in a straight swap, even though they are different styles of players.
“His injury was very bad🤡 newᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs for us. It's not easy for him, either, because it's also a really long injury,” said the 25-year-old Theo, who is one year younger than his brother.
“I've been talking with him on the phone ev🔯ery day since he left Qatar. I want to play in every match here because I want to bring the trophy baꦰck for him.”
The younger Hernandez, who plays for Italian champion AC Milan, is more attack-minded than his brother and so🌱metimes seems more like a winger than a defender.
At his news conference on Sunday, a Chinese journalist told him his nickname among Chinese fans is “Supercar” because of his incredi🐈ble speed.
“I prefer Ferrari,” he joked, smiling.
So it's a dream for him to play on the left side of the French attack with Adrien Rabiot in midfield and Kylian Mbappe up front.
W💜hen he set up Mbappe for France's winning goa🧸l in the 2-1 win against Denmark on Saturday they jumped into each other's arms.
“We combi🌃ne really well together and it's a real pleasure,” Hern⛦andez said.
“When you have Kylian in front of you t🔥hen things become easy. We g🌼et on really well on the field.”
It brings a sharp focus to his play, too.
“I try not to miss with a🦋ny of my passes,” he said.
Coach Didier Deschamps has turned France around in the♑ space of two games, coping with a pile of injuries to adopt a new, more direct approach.
Despite the♔ attacking intent, Hernandez is aware of his place in the team and his defensive duties.
“I know I can't push up too much,” he said.
