AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini has recognized Theo Hernandez’s remarkable achievement with a thoughtful gesture. The French defender recently surpassed Maldini’s longstanding record for most goals scored by a defender in Milan’s history.

Hernandez netted his 30th goal for the Rossoneri during their 2-1 win against Como, eclipsing Maldini’s previous benchmark of 29 goals. In response to this milestone, Maldini sent Hernandez a personalized jersey bearing the number 3, accompanied by a heartfelt message.

The dedication on the jersey read: “To Theo, my worthy successor!! With love.” This touching tribute highlights the respect and admiration Maldini holds for the young defender who has followed in his footsteps.

Hernandez, who had previously expressed his emotions about surpassing his “idol’s” record, proudly shared an image of the gift on his social media. The jersey itself was part of a special edition commemorating AC Milan’s 125th anniversary.

This exchange between the Milan legend and the current star underscores the club’s rich defensive tradition and the passing of the torch to a new generation of talent.