Huijsen pays tribute to Real Madrid legends after inheriting No. 4 shirt: ‘It was always my dream’

Huijsen pays tribute to Real Madrid legends after inheriting No. 4 shirt: ‘It was always my dream’ 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 follows in Ramos’ footsteps Huijsen grew up admiring Ramos and even wore the former Real Madrid captain’s signature SR4 boots as a child. “It was always my dream to play for Real Madrid and wear the number 4. When I was a kid, my biggest idol was Sergio Ramos, who wore the number 4 and was a true legend for Real Madrid and for world football,” he wrote. “I still remember playing in his cleats, the SR4s, because I wanted to be just like him.” That connection makes inheriting the No. 4 especially meaningful for the Spain international, who is now expected to become an important part of Jose Mourinho’s defensive set-up. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dean Huijsen (@deanhuijsen) Ramos himself responded to Huijsen’s announcement, wishing him well. “I hope it brings you a lot of joy too,” Ramos wrote. Tribute to Hierro and Alaba Huijsen also acknowledged the wider history attached to the shirt. Fernando Hierro, another legendary Real Madrid defender, was among the players he mentioned, with Huijsen highlighting their shared connection to Malaga. “Before him, another football legend, Fernando Hierro, wore that number for Real Madrid and for soccer worldwide, but it feels even more special to me because he’s from Málaga, just like me,” he wrote. He also paid tribute to Alaba with whom he had the chance to share the dressing room last season. “Later, another great football legend wore it, and I had the pleasure of sharing the locker room with him. I want to thank the club, the president, the coach, the players, and all the fans of this great club.” A number with real weight The No. 4 shirt at Real Madrid carries far more significance than an ordinary squad number. Ramos turned it into one of the most recognisable shirts in modern Madrid history, while Hierro gave it a legacy long before him. Real Madrid’s New No. 4. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Huijsen is fully aware of that responsibility. The message on his post on Instagram read: “I know this jersey number has a history filled with legends, and I hope I can write my own story—and that one day people will consider me worthy of having worn this jersey and this number. “What I do know is that I’ll give it my all every single day, whether it’s in training or in a match.” For Real Madrid, the decision to hand him the iconic shirt also reflects the confidence in Huijsen. Huijsen has the talent and personality to do justice to the shirt. The shirt may come with history, but from this season, he has the chance to write his own chapter. The 21-year-old looks set to be an important part of Mourinho’s plans, and it remains to be seen how he fares in the 2026-27 campaign.