'Let's see if I can stop him' - Dean Huijsen ready for 'dream' Cristiano Ronaldo showdown and reveals joke with referee about disallowed Spain goal against France

Ex-Bournemouth defender Huijsen delivered a standout performance in Spain’s wild 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France. The 20-year-old defender even found the net with a stunning strike, but the goal was later ruled out for a narrow offside. La Roja’s win sets up a blockbuster final clash with Portugal, with Ronaldo leading the charge for the Selecao.

Despite conceding four goals, Spain’s defense showed resilience, and Huijsen’s performance stood out. Having recently moved from Bournemouth to Real Madrid, where he will play under new coach Xabi Alonso, the young centre-back is building momentum in both club and international football. His potential battle with Ronaldo adds a personal and emotional dimension to the final, especially for a player who grew up watching the Portuguese legend.

Huijsen was asked on Cope about the prospect of facing the Al-Nassr hero in the final, replying: "For me he is one of the best in history, for every child, for every young person who plays against Cristiano Ronaldo it is like a dream to play against him. Let's see if I can stop him."
Reflecting on his disallowed goal, he recounted a light-hearted exchange with the referee: "At half-time, I joked with the referee and said... damn, you can't rule out a goal like that! He told me it was a close offside. Shame." 

The Spanish defender will now prepare to face Portugal in the Nations League final on Sunday. All eyes will be on his duel with Ronaldo in what could be a defining moment for the young defender’s international career. With Alonso set to guide him at Madrid, this summer could mark the beginning of a major breakthrough.