The spotlight was firmly on Real Madrid’s new defender Dean Huijsen as he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu pitch for his La Liga debut against Osasuna on Tuesday night.
And omo, talk about hitting the ground running! The 20-year-old not only impressed in his defensive duties but also made a mark in possession with a record-breaking display.
Real Madrid’s Narrow Victory
The match itself was decided by a single moment of magic. New Galáctico Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal of the night, ensuring Xabi Alonso’s men began their 2025/26 La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win.
But away from Mbappé’s strike, it was Huijsen’s composure on the ball that had fans and pundits buzzing online.
The Incredible Statistic
According to Sofascore (via Madrid Xtra on X), Huijsen became just the second Real Madrid central defender in modern La Liga history to attempt 15 or more long balls in a match, while maintaining an accuracy rate of 85% or higher.
Bruh, that’s insane for someone making his very first appearance in the competition. Many seasoned defenders struggle with that level of precision, yet Huijsen pulled it off like a veteran.
Why This Matters for Madrid
For Real Madrid, this is more than just a fun stat. It highlights the club’s smart recruitment and Xabi Alonso’s trust in young talents. With Madrid known for playing out from the back, having a defender capable of distributing with such accuracy adds a new weapon to their tactical setup.
Fans are already tipping Huijsen to become a long-term starter, and with performances like this, it’s hard to argue.
Omo, if this is how he plays on his debut, imagine what’s coming later in the season .
A Player to Watch
Still only 20 years old, Huijsen arrived this summer with plenty of promise, but few expected him to adapt so quickly. His passing range, calmness under pressure, and ability to build play from deep could make him one of the standout signings of the season.
And now, with this stat already under his belt, he has instantly etched his name into Madrid’s growing history of ball-playing defenders.
The Final Word
It’s still early days, but Huijsen’s La Liga debut has given Real Madrid fans plenty of reasons to be excited. One match, one clean stat, and already whispers of him being the “next big thing” are starting to spread across football circles.
For now, though, Madridistas can sit back and enjoy watching another young star blossom in the famous white shirt.
