Dean Huijsen, the young center-back who made his debut with the Spanish national team in the Nations League semifinals against France, showed the maturity and talent of a veteran.
At 19 years old, Real Madrid's defender started in a decisive match, and the result couldn't have been better. Luis de la Fuente, Spanish coach, didn't hesitate to bet on him alongside Robin Le Normand in the center of the defense, and Huijsen replied with an outstanding performance.
The challenge of facing France
Facing France in a Nations League semifinal isn't an easy task. The powerful French attack, with players like MbappƩ and Griezmann, always represents a challenge.
However, Dean Huijsen showed he has what it takes to rise to the occasion. During the first half, his performance was impeccable. He stopped the French strikers perfectly, showing a calmness and confidence typical of a much more experienced player.
Luis de la Fuente's bet
Coach Luis de la Fuente has made it clear that Dean Huijsen is one of the chosen ones to start for the Spanish national team. As Xabi Alonso said, Huijsen is a center-back who not only defends but also builds from the back. His maturity is surprising for his age, and de la Fuente has confirmed that he considers him a key piece in his system.
Numbers that back up his performance
Huijsen's performance in the match against France was backed up by impressive statistics. He touched the ball 41 times, with an impressive 91% passing accuracy.
In addition, his effectiveness in duels and long balls was total. He recovered five balls and, if it hadn't been for a marginal offside, he would have scored his first goal with the Spanish national team. A goal that would have been the icing on the cake in a dream night.
A bright future
Although he still has room for improvement, there's no doubt that Huijsen has shown he's a center-back with a bright future. His ability to read the game, his composure under pressure, and his passing accuracy have put him on the radar of the best coaches in Europe. Despite his young age, he's already seen as a future star, and his performance with the national team confirms that he's ready for the elite.
Real Madrid, his next challenge
With this great performance, Huijsen has earned his place at Real Madrid. The young center-back has shown he has what it takes to be a starter at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Real Madrid, always in search of young and promising talent, has in Huijsen one of their future gems. Just like with the national team, the young defender will have the opportunity to show his quality and keep growing under the pressure of a top-level team.