Few would have imagined Theo Hernandez and Simone Inzaghi sharing the same dressing room. Yet this summer, both found themselves in Al Hilal blue, united in pursuit of Saudi Pro League glory.<\/p>\n
Inzaghi\u2019s arrival was confirmed in early June, just days after guiding Inter to the 2025 Champions League final, where his side suffered a bruising 5\u20130 defeat to PSG at the Allianz Arena. By the end of the month, Hernandez had followed.<\/p>\n
The French full-back, still only 27, had little desire to leave Europe. Atletico Madrid showed interest, but their bid was swiftly rejected by Milan. Then came Al Hilal\u2019s offer \u2014 and Inzaghi\u2019s persuasive words.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said to me, \u2018Shall we go and win together?\u2019\u201d Hernandez recalled to La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em>. \u201cAt Inter they called him \u2018the demon\u2019. On the pitch he\u2019s one person, off it another \u2014 a gentleman.\u201d<\/p>\n The pair know each other well from the Derby della Madonnina, where Hernandez\u2019s Milan often fell short against Inzaghi\u2019s Inter. The coach, never shy of reminding his new signing, still teases him about those battles.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery now and then he jokes about the Super Cup I cost him here in Riyadh last year,\u201d Hernandez admitted. \u201cHe and the staff often remind me of the six straight wins with Inter, or the duels with Dumfries.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, both are focused on Al Hilal\u2019s title chase. The club sits second in the table, four points behind Al Nassr, who boast a perfect record of nine wins from nine.<\/p>\n This weekend offers another chance to close the gap: Al Hilal host Al Khaleej on Friday, while Al Nassr face Al Okhdood the following day. Both matches will be broadcast live on SPOTV NOW.<\/p>\n Asked whether he dreams of returning to Milan, Hernandez was blunt. \u201cRight now I want to win here. But as long as certain people are there, I won\u2019t return.\u201d<\/p>\n