Theo Hernandez blasts Milan values after Al-Hilal switch

Theo Hernandez has slammed AC Milan’s current leadership on his way out of Serie A, insisting the Rossoneri “no longer reflect the values, nor the ambition” that lured him to San Siro back in 2019. The French full-back finalised a lucrative transfer to Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal this week, ending a six-year stay highlighted by a Scudetto triumph in 2022.

Theo Hernandez cites ambition gap

Posting a blunt farewell on Instagram, Hernandez accused Milan’s hierarchy of ignoring repeated requests for a long-term extension. Club sources claim the player rejected a competitive offer, yet the 26-year-old maintains the board “never matched my hunger to keep winning.”

Record Saudi salary

Al-Hilal reportedly doubled Milan’s €20 million valuation and have handed Hernandez a staggering €20 million annual wage—ten times his previous salary. He joins Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinković-Savić in Riyadh as the club continues its star-studded rebuild.

Milan left with defensive void

The Rossoneri now face the task of replacing a cornerstone of Stefano Pioli’s back line. Youngster Davide Bartesaghi and new recruit Juan Miranda are tipped as short-term solutions, but supporters worry the sale signals a lack of long-term ambition from owners RedBird Capital.

Board defends strategy

Chief executive Giorgio Furlani countered Hernandez’s claims, stressing that sustainability trumps inflated wage bills. “Our project remains competitive,” he said, pointing to recent signings Joshua Zirkzee and Matteo Gabbia.

Opinion: While a mega-salary was always tempting, Hernandez’s public parting shot feels harsh on a club that revived his career. Milan may have lost a talisman, but they avoided shattering their wage structure—an unpopular yet arguably prudent call in today’s market.