Huge blow for France as Lucas Hernandez ruled out of Euro 2024

Lucas Hernandez's childhood was far from idyllic. Hailing from France, where his father kickstarted his professional football journey, young Lucas later found himself in Spain, accompanying his father as he pursued the final chapter of his career. However, life took a sharp turn when his father disappeared, leaving Hernandez and his younger brother behind.  

In the face of this sudden upheaval, their mother took on the tremendous responsibility of providing for the family, working tirelessly and taking on additional shifts to ensure their well-being. Whenever possible, she would make it a priority to take her sons to football training, nurturing their passion for the beautiful game.

Hernandez, deeply appreciative of his mother's sacrifices, once admitted, "I owe everything to my mum." To repay her and overcome the challenges they faced, he knew he had to fight relentlessly and strive to make their shared dreams come true. And he did fight.  

Despite being offered the opportunity to represent Spain, Lucas Hernandez made the pivotal decision to don the blue jersey of France instead. This choice would prove to be a defining moment in his career, as at the tender age of 22, he tasted the sweet victory of becoming a World Cup champion. 

Throughout the tournament in Russia, Hernandez showcased his exceptional defensive prowess, featuring in every single game for Les Bleus. Not only did he excel in his defensive duties, but he also left his mark with two crucial assists that played a part in France's success.

However, the subsequent World Cup in Qatar turned into an utter nightmare for Hernandez. Just 13 minutes into France's opening group match against Australia, tragedy struck as he suffered a devastating injury – a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee.  

The cruel incident occurred as he attempted to challenge Matthew Leckie in the build-up to Craig Goodwin's early goal, ultimately leading to his substitution. The French Football Federation soon confirmed the severity of Hernandez's injury, dashing his hopes of participating further in the tournament that had barely begun.

Despite this setback, Hernandez refused to let it deflate him. After making a full recovery, he became an integral player for Paris Saint-Germain this season, making 41 appearances across all competitions for the French giants. His contributions played a significant role in helping the team clinch the Ligue 1 title and advance to the semifinals of the Champions League. However, just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, tragedy struck once again.

During PSG's defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, Hernandez was forced off the pitch on the stroke of halftime. The 28-year-old sustained a left knee injury while trying to prevent Niclas Fullkrug from scoring the opening goal. After receiving treatment following the goal, he briefly returned to the field before being substituted, with Lucas Beraldo taking his place.  

Late on Thursday, PSG confirmed that a scan revealed a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of Hernandez's left knee. As a result, he is expected to miss the remainder of the season as well as the upcoming European Championship.

Hernandez's injury will deal a devastating blow to France coach Didier Deschamps. Already grappling with the absence of Chelsea's Wesley Fofana due to a similar injury, Deschamps now faces the daunting task of finalizing his squad for the upcoming European Championship. With the tournament scheduled to commence in Germany on June 14, the timing couldn't be worse.

As for Hernandez himself, he has proven that he possesses the resilience and determination to overcome the challenges that life has thrown his way. Time and time again, he has risen from the ashes. This indomitable spirit has been a defining characteristic of his eventful life. There is every reason to believe that he will bounce back once more, emerging stronger than ever before.