Theo Hernandez Rips Milan in Al-Hilal Move

Theo Hernandez delivered a stinging parting shot at AC Milan as he sealed a blockbuster switch to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal, ending a six-year spell that had once seemed destined for legend status.

Theo Hernandez Slams Milan’s Lost Ambition

The France international confirmed his €20 million-per-season deal on Instagram, but the announcement was anything but a polite goodbye. In a sharply worded statement, Hernandez accused the current Rossoneri hierarchy of “failing to reflect the values, nor the ambition” that lured him to San Siro in 2019. The comment quickly caught fire among supporters already anxious about Milan’s direction after a second consecutive season without silverware.

Contract Talks That Went Nowhere

Sources close to the negotiation table reveal that Milan’s owners refused to meet Hernandez’s request for an improved contract, offering only a modest rise on the €4.5 million he was earning. The left-back, pivotal in the 2021-22 Scudetto run, felt slighted by what he viewed as a cut-price valuation of his prime years. When Al-Hilal arrived with a salary package nearly five times higher, the decision became a straightforward business move.

Why Al-Hilal? Sporting Project Meets Payday

Al-Hilal’s pitch was about more than money. With Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinković-Savić already in Riyadh, the club sold Hernandez on the chance to lead a star-studded back line chasing AFC Champions League glory. The Saudi Pro League’s rapidly improving infrastructure and high-profile coaching staff also resonated with the player, who turns 27 in October and wants immediate trophies.

Impact on AC Milan’s Transfer Plans

Milan now face a scramble to replace one of Serie A’s most dynamic full-backs. Riccardo Calafiori and Carlos Augusto are reportedly on the shortlist, but neither brings Hernandez’s blend of pace and direct goal threat. The fee—believed to be around €45 million—offers financial flexibility, yet supporters worry the club’s cautious wage structure will continue to push elite talent elsewhere.

Theo Hernandez Move Signals Broader Serie A Exodus

Hernandez’s departure follows Sandro Tonali’s move to Newcastle and Marcelo Brozović’s leap to Al-Nassr, fuelling fears that Serie A is becoming a seller’s league. Italian clubs remain strapped by stadium revenue limitations and tighter spending controls, making it tough to compete with Premier League and Gulf salaries.

Reactions From Fans and Pundits

Rossoneri ultras unfurled banners outside Casa Milan accusing management of “small-club mentality,” while Sky Sport Italia pundit Fabio Capello argued that losing Hernandez is “a direct consequence of financial restraint.” On the flip side, French media praised the player’s boldness, noting that his national-team standing is unlikely to suffer given Didier Deschamps’s continued selection of Saudi-based talent.

Numbers That Tell the Story

• 4: Serie A Team-of-the-Season selections for Hernandez
• 27: Combined goals and assists in all competitions for Milan
• €20 m: Annual net salary at Al-Hilal
• 0: Trophies won by Milan since the 2022 Scudetto

What Comes Next for Player and Club

Hernandez will link up with coach Jorge Jesus immediately, with Al-Hilal’s pre-season tour set for Austria. Milan, meanwhile, must reinvest quickly to satisfy Paolo Fonseca’s demand for an attacking full-back before Champions League qualifiers. Failure to secure a top-tier replacement could erode dressing-room morale and fan optimism.

Short Opinion

For all the bluster, Hernandez’s criticism holds a mirror to Milan’s cautious era. If the Rossoneri want to keep future stars from chasing petro-dollars, matching ambition with investment is no longer optional.