Dean Huijsen knows he is not untouchable in Spain’s squad ahead of this year’s World Cup, with the Real Madrid defender targeting improvements at club level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Huijsen was included in Luis de la Fuente’s 27-man squad for their upcoming friendlies with Serbia and Egypt during the March international break.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old has won six caps for La Roja since making his debut for his nation last year, and he is beginning to find his feet at Madrid amid an injury-blighted campaign.<\/p>\n
Huijsen has missed 10 games in all competitions this season with different niggling issues, but he has started 35 of 37 matches when he has been available for Los Blancos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only\u00a0Federico Valverde (2,359) and Aurelien Tchouameni\u00a0(2,435) have completed more passes for Madrid in 2025-26 than Huijsen (2,125), while the Spaniard has also registered a team-high total for clearances (173).<\/p>\n
However, the former Bournemouth defender still believes he can improve for Madrid, and he is hoping to kickstart that personal upturn while on international duty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I am very proud to be able to come to the national team.\u00a0It is an honour to represent my country,” Huijsen told reporters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I think I’ve had a period in which I haven’t given the level that people know I can give, and I’m giving now.\u00a0At Madrid, we are good as a team.”<\/p>\n
Spain welcome Serbia to the Estadio de la Ceramica on Friday before taking on Egypt at\u00a0RCDE Stadium three days later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
De la Fuente’s side are back in action for the first time since November, when they drew their final World Cup qualifying match 2-2 with Turkiye.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They are unbeaten in 31 competitive matches,\u00a0which matches the longest run set by a team that has won the World Cup (previously by Italy), with De la Fuente taking charge of 26 of those contests\u00a0(W20 D6).<\/p>\n
“I work every day to come here, for the national team, which for me\u00a0is a source of pride,” Huijsen added.<\/p>\n
“The press has to talk about something. I don’t get involved in your work.”<\/p>\n
Spain’s World Cup campaign begins against Cape Verde on June 15. They are also alongside Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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