In a pressuring moment for Dean Huijsen, the 19-year-old defender is stepping onto the international football stage for Spain against the Netherlands this Thursday, March 20, 2025, at De Kuip. With the whistles of Dutch fans echoing in his ears, Huijsen's decision to represent the Spanish national team over his native Netherlands, where he was born, continues to stir discussions and controversies.
Born in Amsterdam to Dutch parents, Huijsen’s story takes a unique turn as he spent a significant part of his childhood in southern Spain after relocating at the tender age of five. It is this connection to Spain that ultimately guided his recent career choice, having previously played for various youth international teams representing the Netherlands. As Mischa Visser, his former coach in the Netherlands, recounts, at a young age Huijsen was already regarded as a prodigy. “He was a very talented player and showed signs of being a top player early on,” he recalls, highlighting that Huijsen’s commitment to both his Netherlands youth team and his development as a defender has always been evident.
During his development phase, Huijsen showcased his remarkable skills at a local club before being scouted by Malaga CF, where he played from the ages of ten to sixteen. His offensive capabilities and defensive tactics raised eyebrows, quickly attracting interest from major clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, Huijsen opted to continue honing his craft elsewhere, specifically at Juventus. At seventeen, he joined the Italian club and within just six months, he made history by becoming the youngest player in the Juventus Next Gen team, competing in Serie C, the third tier of Italian football.
As Huijsen’s reputation grew, so did his opportunities. Following an impressive stint with Juventus, including a call-up for a loan deal with AS Roma, Bournemouth secured his signature in the past summer for approximately fifteen million. Now, it appears Bournemouth and Huijsen will reap rewards from this investment as he quickly establishes himself as a formidable defender.
Despite Huijsen’s initial intentions to play for the Netherlands, his past offers important context. Throughout his younger years, Huijsen represented the Netherlands in several international youth matches, under the guidance of coach Mischa Visser, who expressed surprise yet understanding at Huijsen’s decision to switch allegiances to Spain. “The Spanish football federation took a keen interest in him, and as his coach, I knew he had a special affinity for Spain, as he had spent most of his upbringing there,” Visser notes. In fact, Huijsen himself articulated his feelings for the country, stating, “I always say Spain is my home. As soon as I can, I go back to Spain, I am Spanish. I feel Spanish, and when the opportunity arose to play for Spain, I took it because that’s how I feel.”
Forty-eight hours before his much-anticipated debut in De Kuip, Huijsen might have seemed unfazed but will arguably face immense pressure from the Dutch supporters who have shown their discontent with his allegiance. Reports suggest that he has received a mixed reception, with some Dutch fans booing him during matches, a sentiment shared by Dutch football legends like Rafael van der Vaart and Pierre van Hooijdonk. Van der Vaart openly criticized the booing, stating, “They really should stop; it doesn’t make any sense.” Meanwhile, Van Hooijdonk acknowledged the complexity of the situation, questioning the logic behind the backlash towards Huijsen for exercising his right to choose a pathway that aligns with his identity and upbringing.
Huijsen’s debut this week puts him at a crossroads, facing not only his opponents on the pitch but also navigating the turmoil of public opinion. With his years of training and dedication culminating in this moment, fans both in Spain and the Netherlands anticipate how he will perform in the international spotlight. As the nations clash again on Sunday, March 23, at Estadio Mestalla in Valencia, the stakes are high—not only for Huijsen but for both teams looking to assert their dominance on the European stage.
The choice made by Dean Huijsen to represent Spain is a reminder of the complexities within the realm of international football and how the emotional ties and past experiences of young players influence their career paths. In this high-stakes encounter, all eyes will be on Huijsen, curious to see how the burgeoning defender will rise to the occasion.
