by ‘We couldn’t have dreamed of this when we were kids’: Theo Hernandez’s World Cup debut for France should have been a joyous time for his family… but instead it was tinged with sadness when the full-back replaced his brother Lucas after his ACL injury
- Frenchman Lucas Hernandez was injured in Tuesday’s win over Australia
- The Bayern Munich left-back damaged his ACL and looked visibly distraught
- Hernandez’s injury came 13 minutes into the game and ended his World Cup
- It was a bittersweet moment, as Lucas was then replaced by his brother Theo
- The latter made his World Cup debut under sad circumstances given Lucas’ injury
- But Theo impressed and linked up well with Kylian Mbappe in France’s 4-1 win
- Click here for the latest news, fixtures, live action and results from the 2022 World Cup
It would have been a bittersweet moment for any athletic family.
When Theo Hernandez, 25, made his World Cup debut in France’s game against Australia, it was the crowning achievement of an increasingly impressive career.
The only problem was that he was replacing his injured brother.
Lucas Hernandez, the 19-month-old, was part of the victorious France team four years ago and edged out Theo for a starting spot at left-back.
Lucas Hernandez left the pitch in tears after damaging his ACL in France’s clash against Australia
It was a bittersweet moment for the Hernandez, as Lucas was replaced by his brother Theo (pictured), who made his World Cup debut for the Blues last Tuesday.
Yet Lucas’ dreams of retaining the cup alongside his brother were dashed after just 13 minutes of the opener. The Bayern Munich star has damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and faces a long spell on the sidelines.
It was desperate luck and made his remarks last fall all the more poignant. The brothers were named in the France squad for the Nations League Final Four, and playing together was clearly a huge source of pride.
“We couldn’t have dreamed of this when we were kids,” Lucas said. “It’s exceptional, incredible. What a moment for the whole family.
“It’s an honor to be here with my brother,” added Theo. “My mother, my grandfather and the whole family are very happy.”
Lucas’ injury only came 13 minutes into the game and ended his World Cup campaign
Theo wouldn’t have wanted it to be, of course, but Lucas’ absence means he now has the chance to become one of the stars of the tournament.
Because anyone who has watched Theo regularly for AC Milan knows that, at his best, he is possibly the best left-back in the world, and it was surprising that he wasn’t included in the original starting XI.
His pace and physical presence make him a formidable opponent for any winger, but he really makes the difference at the other end of the pitch. Few players run a game from left-back, but Theo can.
When Milan have the ball, manager Stefano Pioli gives his star man a free role, allowing him to charge in central areas as a fearsome attacking force.
He has scored five times and produced seven assists as AC Milan won the Serie A title and has two goals and four assists in the current campaign.
Theo signed a new contract earlier this year which ties him to the Italian champions until the end of the 2025-26 campaign. But Italian football is not brimming with money, which means even their most famous clubs have to negotiate to maintain a healthy balance sheet. Theo is already on the radar of a number of clubs and if his performance against Australia is any guide, that list will quickly grow.
The Bayern Munich left-back was visibly distraught as he left the pitch at Al-Wakrah
Theo then starred in a comfortable 4-1 victory which opened the France World Cup account
The 25-year-old is establishing himself as an impressive left-back at AC Milan, who he joined in 2019
Theo has bonded with Kylian Mbappe as if the pair have played together their entire lives. His natural sense of adventure meant that, rather than just dealing with Mbappe, the Australian defenders had another opponent to worry about. Theo’s desire to overlap has also given Mbappe space to drift inside and link up with the other French forwards. The champions put in a menacing performance to win 4-1.
With England due to meet France in the quarter-finals, there was much talk of how they could stop Mbappe, with the fit-again Kyle Walker identified as the best man for the job.
Theo’s presence at left-back could tempt Gareth Southgate to move back to a back three. Faced with such a positive player, Bukayo Saka could only think of attacking, as he did against Iran.
The chance to emulate his injured brother by staging another World Cup for France – their third – is a powerful motivation for Theo.
“Hang on bro,” he tweeted the day after Lucas was injured. “Stronger than ever.” Lucas will undoubtedly be his biggest supporter.
