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SIBLING RIVALRY

Real Madrid signed the wrong brother from their rivals last summer

Lucas and Theo Hernandez, just brothers who live in Madrid...

The warning signs were there at Theo Hernandez’s unveiling.

Thousands of Real Madrid fans gathered at the Bernabeu to greet the defender they had poached from their local rivals.

And he treated them to some wild freestyle skills…


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The France Under-20 international played a subdued role in Real’s 2017/18 campaign, picking up a Champions League winners medal for his troubles.

Julen Lopetegui deemed him surplus to requirements soon after his (official) appointment and shipped Hernandez out on loan to Real Sociedad last month.

This is not necessarily the end of Hernandez’s Real career, at 20-years-old he has plenty of time to develop into a potential first-team player for Los Blancos.

There’s just one slight problem, he’s probably not the best player in his family.

Big brother

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Big brother

Older brother Lucas has had an incredible six months.

The Atletico Madrid defender deputised in Filipe Luis’ absence as Diego Simeone’s men lifted the Europa League trophy to cap an impressive season.

He was rewarded with a spot in France’s World Cup squad, which must have been a dream come true in itself.

Benjamin Mendy was many people’s first-choice left-back when imagining France at the World Cup but Man City’s resident jester was rusty in the aftermath of his ACL rupture.

And so Lucas found himself not only in Didier Deschamps’ squad, but a starter.

Result

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Result

He displayed maturity and tactical awareness beyond his years to contribute significantly to Les Bleus’ triumph.

It’s no surprise then, that the big boys came calling.

Marca are reporting that Man United offered to double his wages during their search for a new left-back this summer just passed.

The Spanish outlet also claim both Barcelona and Real Madrid have attempted to sign the older Hernandez brother by triggering his release clause.

On the rise

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On the rise

For now though, Lucas’ loyalty to Atleti is unwavering.

“I’m still at the club of my life,” he said following United’s approach, repeating the phrase he spoke last year when he signed a contract extension to 2022.

He has since extended again to 2024 and seems to have fully bought in to Simeone’s pack mentality.

World Cup viewers will know him only as a left-back but he is equally capable of playing at centre-back.

At 6ft tall he has the stature to win the required headers while also being mobile and quick enough to track runners.

Theo with an air shot

JUAN MEDINA
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Theo with an air shot

The 22-year-old is shaping up into a wonderful player.

Which is good news for Atletico and bad news for their neighbours, who must now figure out what to do with the younger brother of the player they actually wanted.

It’s a funny old game.


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