Huijsen pays tribute to Real Madrid legends after inheriting No. 4 shirt: ‘It was always my dream’
Young defender Dean Huijsen has been assigned the No. 4 jersey at Real Madrid, a number previously worn by club legends Sergio Ramos and David Alaba. Huijsen expressed that inheriting the shirt is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
Why it matters
Jersey numbers at major football clubs carry significant symbolic weight, and this transition marks a new chapter for the team's defensive lineup.
Real Madrid saw the departure of a number of players at the end of the 2025-26 season, including the likes of Dani Carvajal and David Alaba .
The latter used to wear the No. 4 jersey during his time at the club, and this summer, the iconic shirt was up for grabs.
Dean Huijsen has been handedn the No. 4 shirt at Real Madrid, when the numbers were revealed yesterday.
The young centre-back took to social media after the confirmation, describing it as the fulfilment of a childhood dream linked closely to Sergio Ramos , one of his biggest footballing idols.
Huijsen grew up admiring Ramos and even wore the former Real Madrid captain's signature SR4 boots as a child.
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