Theo Hernandez may have been one of AC Milan's standout performers so far this season as Stefano Pioli's men make an unlikely bid for a first Serie A title in 10 years, but he was taken to task when the squad returned for pre-season last summer by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic, who rejoined the club in December 2019, noticed that the former Real Madrid left back had gained a lot of weight over the summer and was quick to tease his team-mate.
Hernandez told La Gazzetta dello Sport: 'When I came back from vacation, he (Ibrahimovic) told me: ''Where are you going with 90 kilos here?'' I was a bit fatter...
'But he also told me that I am strong and that I have to become the best, but that I have to work hard.
'He gives us courage, gives us lots of advice and sometimes even scolds us - but always to motivate us.
'We follow him, and in training we give everything, always. All together. It has been an incredible year, we are having an incredible year. And the credit belongs to everyone.'
Ibrahimovic may turn 40 in October, but he has 14 Serie A goals in as many games this term.
Only Luis Muriel (16), Romelu Lukaku (18) and Cristiano Ronaldo (20) have more, while Muriel is the only player who has scored double figures in Italy's top flight this season with a better minutes-per-goal ratio (60) than the Swede (79).
Unfortunately for Ibrahimovic and co., Milan are now six points behind city rivals Inter in the Scudetto race after spending long periods of the season neck-and-neck with Antonio Conte's side.
Pioli's side host Napoli on Sunday before they hope to make home advantage count once more on Thursday against Manchester United in the Europa League round of 16 after the first leg at Old Trafford finished 1-1, with Ibrahimovic currently sidelined after sustaining a muscle injury against Roma two weeks ago.