Dean Huijsen, the first-team defender for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, spoke about his first start for his country following his absence from the 2026 World Cup.
The Spanish national team faced their Croatian counterparts yesterday, Tuesday, as part of Matchday 3 of the 2027 UEFA Nations League.
The 2026 world champions secured a comprehensive victory over Luka Modrić's teammates by four goals to one.
Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish national team, did not include Dean Huijsen, the Real Madrid defender, in the squad that traveled to compete in the 2026 World Cup.
Regarding his return to wearing the national team shirt, Huijsen said: "We played a wonderful match as a team; representing my country is an honor and a source of pride for me."
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He continued: "My absence from the World Cup was extremely painful for me and my family; I went through a difficult period, but the most important thing is that I have returned now."
He added: "The feeling of being excluded still hurts me; football waits for no one, and you must continue working."
On starting today alongside the world champions after a long period and his feelings of pressure: "The situation now is the same as it was in March; they are the same teammates, and there are the same requirements, which are to continue winning."
Regarding Croatia's goal: "It came from a cross; they crowded players inside the penalty area, but apart from that, they did not pose any real threat."
And playing next to Cubarsí, he concluded: "Things went well as they barely created any chances against us, and besides being a good player, he is a great young man; I hope we share the dressing room for a long time."
