Lucas Hernandez, 29, defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, spoke to Carré about his return to form and his winning mentality. Long hampered by a serious injury, the French international explains that he’s finally regaining his form and consistency, with his sights set on a great season and the World Cup. He also candidly discusses his competition with Nuno Mendes (23-year-old left-back) and the impressive Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward).
Hernandez: “Trying to break into a team like that is very complicated.”
You seem in great shape; have you ever felt this good at PSG?
It’s true that I’m feeling better and better. It’s something I’ve known for a long time: that I needed to take my time to get a good feel for things. It certainly doesn’t just happen. You need playing time and consistency. It all has to come together. Right now, I’m in a good mood.
Last year, when I came back from injury, it was never easy to come back mid-season like that, with the team already in shape. With the incredible performances from all the players. Trying to break into a team like that is very complicated.
I was aware of that and I knew what I was capable of. The coach knew he could always count on me. This year, I did what I needed to do during the short break, to prepare well to follow up with a big season, with this World Cup at the end. That’s one of the goals.
How are you feeling?
I feel very good, physically and mentally. I feel on top form. The more consistency I have in matches, the better I feel. It’s something you take on the pitch, the minutes you play help you improve. I feel very good, at the top of my game, with the desire to play more matches.
Hernandez: “Mentally, I’m a very strong person.”
Have these two years been tough? Did you ever think you wouldn’t return to your peak level?
No, I’ve always believed in myself. Mentally, I’m a very strong person, and I knew it would come back. But it’s true that when you’re in a great team, like last year, when we had a string of good performances with players who were at their best, it’s not easy to join a team like that.
But I was confident; I knew my moment would come, sooner or later. Last year, we had an extraordinary season. I played a somewhat secondary role, but I’m also happy with what I achieved. But this year, things are starting to change. I’m feeling better and better, with a big goal at the end of the season. That’s my primary goal.
Hernandez: “I’m someone who likes adversity and big duels.”
Did the duel against Yamal do me any good for my confidence?
I’m someone who likes adversity and big duels, challenges. I always try to be there. It was a bit of a complicated moment in the match with Nuno, who was having an extraordinary performance, but who received a yellow card. The coach handled it well. He knew Nuno could continue the match, but playing one-on-one against Yamal, he could get his second yellow card at any moment.
He believed in me, he told me to come back onto the pitch and put Nuno on the wing. The only advice he gave me was: ‘Please don’t get a yellow card in the first few minutes’ (laughs). It went well. I was able to finish the match and continue with the match against Lille. Now, it’s the French national team. And then there are still big matches. It’s only the rhythm of the matches that makes you feel better.
Did Deschamps’ confidence play a role when things were more complicated at club level?
Of course. When you have the confidence of the French national team coach, it’s extraordinary. These are incredible moments. When you have this season without playing much, but there’s this confidence, you forget the bad times. It was logical that I didn’t play given the excellent performances of my teammates, I’m honest. But when you get the call from the national team, it gives you great confidence. It helps you clear your head and come back to give it your all.
Hernandez: “Don’t leave by the back door”
A departure considered this summer, and why stay?
Of course, there has been interest. But as I told my agents, I have a big challenge here. We had an extraordinary season, and I have three years left on my contract. In football, you never know, but I couldn’t leave without playing, being a supporting player. That’s not possible for me. If one day I have to leave PSG, I want to be someone very important and not leave by the back door.
Is it particularly hard, given your record, to be a substitute?
From the outside, it’s true that I have a great record, I’ve been through some tough times, but I’m a very honest and straightforward person. When you see that the team is doing well and putting in exceptional performances, that no one can touch the team, there’s nothing to say. The only thing to say is to train better and give it my all in training so that the coach can count on me if there’s a slight problem.
Hernandez: “He knows I’m there to help him.”
What’s the competition like with Nuno Mendes? Is he the best left-back in the world right now?
First of all, of course he’s the best in the world. Without a doubt. But I’m used to it. At Bayern, I had Alphonso Davies as my prime, he was going at 2000 miles an hour (smiles). At every club, the competition makes for a crazy season. Davies was the best at the time, now it’s Nuno. But the goal is to confirm my performance, so they know there’s competition.
Nuno is the best at the moment, but he needs to know I’m there. We get along very well, we can play together too. He knows I’m there to help him. We have a great group, we hope to have another memorable season.
Hernandez: “Mentally and physically, I feel great.”
How would you describe your time with PSG so far? What’s your state of mind? Is the adventure really beginning now?
No, not at all. When I arrived, I started very well. I was very calm, it was a near-perfect season, but we lost in the Champions League semi-finals and, unfortunately, I got injured. Last season was very difficult for me. It’s never easy when you injure your cruciate ligament, for the second time in two years. At some point, your body gives out.
But I did everything I could to come back as quickly as possible. I came back in December; it’s never easy. I tried to perform well every time, but it’s not easy when you’re lacking minutes and benchmarks, when you’re not used to playing with your teammates.
But I never gave up, I always believed in myself, and now I try to perform every time I have the opportunity. This year will be different. Mentally and physically, I feel at my best. I hope it’s a great season.
Hernandez: “They have confidence, they can help us.”
Is the squad stressed about injuries?
It’s never the case when you finish a season in mid-July without a break and a month later there’s a European Super Cup final. It’s not easy; it’s normal for things to give up.
Is it too many games?
Of course it’s too much, it’s excessive. All the teams have had more breaks. Physically, especially mentally, you have to take a break sometimes. The coach manages it well, with the rest days. But we hardly have time.
The Titis have opportunities, are they impressive?
They’re youngsters with a lot of personality. Quentin Ndjantou started for the first time and he put in a great performance. They have confidence, they can help us, even more so right now. They can do good, it’s up to them to continue.
Any anecdotes at PSG?
The best moment is when we win the Champions League. We celebrate, it’s 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., and I’m in the room with the stewards and I can’t see the players anymore. I ask where they’ve gone, if there’s a meeting, the last one in the class (laughs).
Hernandez: “He’s the player who impressed me the most.”
The funniest teammate?
Ousmane! He’s unique. It’s his way of being, his personality (smiles). When the coach holds a meeting and asks a player to speak, even when he answers well, Ousmane makes us laugh.
The most impressive player on the pitch?
Désiré Doué (Désiré Doué). When he arrived in Paris, I didn’t really know him. Physically, he’s a very, very strong person, a real athlete. He has a real mentality. You feel that he’s someone who loves to win and is only looking for that. He’s the player who has impressed me the most since I arrived. Neymar, Ousmane, I already knew him. But Désiré arrived with a force. Even in training, he really impressed me.
What do you think about when you come in 4-0 up in the Champions League final? Is it already won?
I’m sure we’ll score again. I come in with the mindset of keeping the ball and scoring again.
Hernandez: “We can continue to make history for the club, the city, and the country.”
How do you see the future? More years at PSG? Ending up in Saudi Arabia with your brother?
I’m very confident; I have three years left here in Paris. It’s a magnificent club, with incredible sporting projects. I’m very happy in Paris. When I left Bayern to come here, it was to achieve great things. We’ve already achieved great things, but I know we can continue to make history for the club, the city, and the country. The goal is to continue here and be an important player at PSG.
A second Champions League in a row, can you believe it?
Of course, that’s why I’m here! (smiles). If we have a team to do that, it’s PSG, with our good, young players. And the coach, with his motivation.
