Maldini Proud of Giroud and Hernandez for Reaching World Cup Final

• France and Argentina are set for an epic battle in the World Cup final on Sunday
• The duo of Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez are AC Milan players in the final
• The club's director Paolo Maldini praised both for doing the club proud in Qatar

The Qatar 2022 World Cup is gradually winding down, with current world champions France and South American champions Argentina set for the final showdown.

France have two AC Milan players in their team, Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez, both of whom are pivotal in how Les Bleus reached the final.

AC Milan legend and technical director, Paolo Maldini has praised the duo for making the club proud at the Mundial and for doing well for their country.

The 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up also praised winger Rafael Leao for contributing two goals for Portugal at the World Cup.

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Statement by Paolo Maldini

The former AC Milan player, who played in four World Cups, expressed pride at their two finalists while speaking to Milan TV, as quoted by Cult of Calcio:

“Olivier and Theo, they have been protagonists from the beginning, they have shown it. I must say that there is pride on our part in seeing them reaching the World Cup final.”

Leao scored two goals in his first World Cup for Portugal, and Maldini had some words for him too.

“Rafa has done his part; two goals in the tournament are not a small thing. Unfortunately, he played little. I think it was still a beautiful and high-level experience for him."

All players are expected to return to Milan before the resumption of the Serie A campaign on January 2. Milan will hope to catch Napoli to retain their title.

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Rafael Leao's contract situation

Sports Brief earlier reported that Leao's World Cup outing will prove decisive in contract talks with AC Milan or in his exit from the club.

Contract talks were suspended before the World Cup and with Maldini's words on the Portuguese player's World Cup outing, it remains to be seen how negotiations will fare.

Leao has one year left after this season and with his huge wage demands stalling the renewal, Chelsea are ready to snap him up.