Lucas Hernandez (29), defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, opened up to Le Parisien in an interview published this Monday. The discussion focused on his impressive track record — 22 career titles, placing him fourth among the most decorated French footballers in history, tied with Bixente Lizarazu and Presnel Kimpembe, and just behind Karim Benzema (34), Kingsley Coman (28), and Franck Ribéry (23).
Hernandez: “I live for titles and I can’t stand losing.”
What does it mean to have already won 22 trophies at 29?
“It’s the reward for a lot of hard work and it gives me tremendous pride. When you start out as a professional, you never imagine reaching such a number — it’s something extraordinary. And believe me, I’m far from being jaded.
I live for titles, and I’ve hated losing since I was a kid.
I love to fight — it’s in my nature. That hunger drives me from the moment I wake up and never leaves me. At our level, the goal isn’t to participate, it’s to win.”
Hernandez: “I probably have my small share of credit.”
“At first, you could say I landed in the right clubs at the right time. But I’ve always chosen teams with a winning mentality.
When you reach 22 titles, it’s no coincidence — it’s not luck either. It’s destiny. And I probably have my small share of credit in it.”
Lucas Hernandez continues to move forward with patience and determination.
After a first season disrupted by injury recovery, the PSG defender is gradually returning to the form that once made him one of Europe’s elite defenders. Far from dwelling on doubts, he relies on consistency and invisible work, convinced that his time will come again naturally.
Forged by adversity and internal competition, his iron mindset makes him a silent leader within a thriving PSG squad. Admiring young Désiré Doué (19) — whom he calls “a real athlete” — Hernandez embodies this new generation of understated yet essential leaders, ready to face the season’s biggest battles without fanfare.
Operating in the shadows doesn’t bother him — he knows his moment will arrive.
With PSG facing a long, demanding campaign across Ligue 1, the Champions League, and the looming World Cup, Luis Enrique’s philosophy of rotation and versatility suits him perfectly. Capable of playing both left-back and center-back, Hernandez remains one of the most reliable options in the team.
His defensive intelligence, tactical reading, and grit make him invaluable when pressure peaks — especially on European nights. PSG simply can’t do without a player of his profile for long, and Hernandez, for his part, is ready for one thing only: to become indispensable again.
