Dean Huijsen was notably among the prominent Real Madrid players left out of their national teams for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The young defender, previously with Bournemouth, was omitted from the squad by Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente, who opted instead for defenders like Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Mark Pubill, and Aymeric Laporte, who has recently been linked to a move to Real Madrid.
Advertisement
It’s difficult to dispute de la Fuente’s choice, especially as the pairing of Laporte and Cubarsi has only allowed a single goal throughout the tournament.
Key Season Ahead for Huijsen
Huijsen faces a battle for a spot in the starting lineup. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The strong performance of Cubarsi and Laporte will certainly add pressure on Huijsen, who is determined to prove himself. As reported by Diario AS, this coming season may be pivotal for the centre-back.
Last season at the Bernabeu was a rollercoaster for Huijsen. He burst onto the scene during the Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso, winning a starting position and generating a surge of excitement among Real Madrid supporters.
At just 20 years old, he exhibited poise that belied his age, especially in a role where experience is often crucial.
However, the initial thrill soon faded as mistakes crept in, culminating in a memorable blunder on matchday 24 against Real Sociedad, where he conceded a needless penalty and faced jeers from sections of the Bernabeu crowd.
His omission from the World Cup squad confirmed what many had speculated, marking the first instance in history that Spain has participated in the tournament without a single Real Madrid player on the roster.
Heightened Competition Ahead
Huijsen will encounter increased competition in the upcoming season. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Compounding the challenge, Huijsen enters the new season facing heightened competition.
Real Madrid has secured the services of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer from Liverpool, an experienced centre-back expected to step directly into the starting lineup.
Additionally, Jose Mourinho is advocating for the acquisition of another centre-back as he aims to revamp the defense, with names like Alessandro Bastoni and Tomas Araujo being mentioned as targets.
This leaves Huijsen with a genuine battle ahead. However, he has one advantage; he has previously worked under Mourinho at Roma and is well-acquainted with his tactical approach.
Whether this will translate into success on the field remains to be seen.