GdS: Why Theo and Maldini’s meeting is a reminder of what once was for Milan | OneFootball

A clip showing Theo Hernandez with Paolo Maldini in the centre of Milan from Monday has quickly done the rounds, with the pair sharing smiles and laughter.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, the content is obviously unknown, but the meeting between Theo and Maldini that took place yesterday at a place where Paolo has always been a regular customer.  Especially in bad times like these, it has a certain effect on the eyes of the fan.

It is not exactly a positive effect either, because Theo hasn’t been himself all season and there is talk of his time at the club ending in the summer, while Maldini remains for many a symbol of a previous successful era and a sense of attachment lost.

Twenty-nine years separate them, but friendship often has no age. Theo and Paolo had a coffee yesterday, and it was quite a long one. They shared one in Ibiza back June 2019, when Maldini basically convinced the Frenchman to move to the Rossoneri, and a lot has happened in six years.

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It has always been a special relationship right from the start. Theo instantly fell in love with the idea that a legend like Maldini had come to visit him specifically to pitch the project, while Paolo completed one of the most important purchases of his time and he was a key piece of the Scudetto win.

Scattered throughout these six years are many memorable phrases. Maldini said to Theo: “You are my worthy heir, I love you” and “What he does, no one else does, he revolutionised the modern idea of ​​the role.”

Theo returned the compliments: “He was decisive in my decision to come to Milan. Our meeting in Ibiza convinced me that this was the right place for me.” It grew further when Hernandez first reached and then surpassed Maldini in number of goals (30) in Serie A, becoming the most prolific Milan defender ever.

“Happy to reach 30 goals with Milan and make history with this shirt. Sorry Paolo Maldini but you told me. I love you,” wrote the Frenchman on social media, with Paolo responding like this: “Great Theo, the small difference is that it took me 25 years, 5 were enough for you. You are special!”

Maldini first welcomed him, then protected him, accompanied him and advised him until Hernandez became one of the best left backs in the world. That’s why many people claim that Maldini’s farewell to Milan, with all the bitterness of the case, was a sort of point of no return for Theo.

The former Real Madrid man has been unrecognisable this season and now both he and his idol are waiting to understand what the future holds for them. It is conceivable that Maldini would reconsider the possibility of returning to the Rossoneri in a different situation, and obviously with a different management.

Theo has more pressing needs in terms of time. From now until June – regardless of Milan’s position – he will have to be clear about what he wants to do with his footballing career, given that his deal runs out in 2026.