Lucas Hernandez, 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender, spoke to L’Equipe on the sidelines of the celebrations in Paris for the 2024-2025 Champions League, which PSG won on Saturday with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. He underlines the superb feeling after this historic success, very different from the LDC won with Bayern Munich. He also talks about the group’s confidence ahead of Saturday’s match, with coach Luis Enrique’s speech.
Hernandez “We marked the history of a club, the history of a city, the history of a country even.”
“Tell us about your feelings after this Champions League victory…
It’s incredible! It’s incredible! I’ve already won the Champions League once with Bayern Munich, but this is nothing like that. To manage to do it like this, with a club from your own country, a club that’s been waiting for this for so long, is completely different. It’s special to experience these moments. We’ve marked the history of a club, the history of a city, the history of a country even, frankly.
When I signed here two years ago, I said in my first interview that I wanted to leave my mark on the history of this club. I think we’ve done that now. There’s so much joy and happiness. Seeing the people around us so happy is engraved in my heart forever..
Hernandez “Above all, play our game, have that possession and have a lot of fun.”
How did you manage to arrive on the pitch so serene?
Everything was done in preparation to give us confidence. We worked a lot on managing our emotions. The coach told us that we had to be 100% motivated, but not 150%, that we could be carried away by the event while remaining focused on our game. Don’t do more, don’t do less. That was his message in the days leading up to the match. Above all, play our game, have possession and enjoy ourselves.
So, Luis Enrique is a major player in this success?
Of course. I arrived at the club at the same time as he did, so I’ve seen the rise to power. I remember there was a lot of criticism of him, particularly about his working methods, but in the end, he was right about everything.
Hernandez “In the days that followed, we told ourselves that we could go and get this Champions League.”
A turning point in the season?
(…) Once we beat Manchester City at home after being 0-2 down (4-2 in the end, on January 22), we said to ourselves that we had the ability to achieve something bigger and that we shouldn’t let this chance slip through our fingers. It was almost a wake-up call. In the days that followed, we told ourselves that we could go and get this Champions League, that anything could happen.”
Winning the Champions League is always special, it’s the biggest trophy at a club and the result of a season’s work in the face of enormous competition. We wouldn’t want to overlook the title won by Lucas Hernandez with Bayern. But this season’s is bound to be special.
It’s the first time in PSG’s history, a moment that will live long in the memory of a team that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of its fans. There was a huge party in Paris, at the Parc des Princes. These are unforgettable moments. Now, we’ll no doubt be keen to continue. Even if there may be a period of hesitation after such an achievement.
We also know that coach Luis Enrique has a certain high standard that he could still pass on. The champion will still want to confirm. But without overdoing the motivation, as he often repeats. This is reflected in Hernandez’s comments. We mustn’t push too hard. The idea is above all to play and enjoy the moment. And, of course, to give my all for the team.
The team has impressed in recent months. In the game, of course. But also in its mental strength. The turning point against Manchester City was clear. Paris was all but eliminated at 0-2 and turned the situation around. All the way to the title. We felt a special energy right from that match. The fans deserve a lot of credit for that, still singing along when PSG were losing.
It’s also what the players, staff and management have achieved. With players fighting for the team and the club, a connection has been found. This gives us extra strength in difficult times. And to celebrate fully when the time comes.
