Hernandez dazzles against Barcelona, but his consistency at PSG raises questions

Lucas Hernandez delivered one of his best performances in a PSG shirt on Tuesday night, during the club’s 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the Ligue des Champions. The French defender scored with a header and neutralized Lamine Yamal throughout the match, earning praise from the specialist press.

While UEFA awarded the man-of-the-match title to Désiré Doué, also in fine form against the Blaugrana, it was Hernandez who received the highest rating from L’Équipe. Recognition that immediately reignited questions about his usage at PSG since his arrival.

Former pundit and Polish international Ludovic Obraniak did not mince words on the sports daily’s channel. “This match puts a huge question mark on things: what have you been doing for two years exactly? When you’re capable of putting in a performance like that…” A comment that sums up the feeling of many observers facing a player whose talent is beyond question, but whose consistency leaves much to be desired.

Last fielded as a starter in the Ligue des Champions in January 2025, the French international occupies a substitute role in Luis Enrique’s hierarchy, behind Nuno Mendes on the left flank and behind Marquinhos or Willian Pacho in the centre. Obraniak sees it as an overly premature surrender of the fight for a starting spot. “For me, he gave up the starting position at Paris too quickly, and he’s living like some did back in the PSG days when they lost everything, like Julian Draxler — that is, ‘OK, I’m living my life based on my role as a substitute’.”

The pundit went further, touching on the player’s lifestyle: “I think his life outside football isn’t the most calibrated to be the best at his position. But I think he’s still got it in him. If I were his coach tonight, I’d tell him: ‘Get back to work’.”

This outing against Barcelona comes in a context of impressive collective form for PSG, which had already thrashed Manchester City 4-2 in the previous Champions League round. Hernandez, 29, reminded everyone he remains a top-level defender — the question now is whether he can turn this performance into a springboard for more regular starts.