Dean Huijsen surpasses Arda Güler at Real Madrid and will compete for the Golden Boy against Doué and Cubarsí
Dean Huijsen has emerged as Real Madrid’s leading candidate for the 2025 Golden Boy Award, surpassing Turkish midfielder Arda Güler in the race to be recognized as Europe’s top U-21 talent.
According to a new ranking published by Tuttosport and reported by Defensa Central, the 20-year-old Dutch center-back is now among the three main favorites to claim the prestigious honor, alongside Désiré Doué of Paris Saint-Germain and Pau Cubarsí of Barcelona.
Rapid Rise After Premier League Breakthrough
Huijsen’s breakout season came while on loan at Bournemouth, where he made 32 appearances in the Premier League and established himself as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders. His form caught the attention of Real Madrid, who secured his signature nearly two months ago.
Since joining Los Blancos, Huijsen has already made an impact, appearing in five matches during the FIFA Club World Cup, and has been working closely with new manager Xabi Alonso, who views the young defender as a key asset in Madrid’s future backline.
Arda Güler Still Progressing Under Xabi Alonso
While Huijsen headlines Madrid’s youth movement, Arda Güler continues to build momentum after a strong season in which he often came off the bench under Carlo Ancelotti, but impressed in the Copa del Rey, where Real Madrid finished as runners-up.
Under Xabi Alonso, the Turkish international has seen more consistent opportunities, including standout performances in the Super Club World Cup, where he contributed directly to three goals.
Future Role and Shirt Number Talks
Although he is not among the Golden Boy favorites, Güler remains highly regarded within the club. At one point, he was considered to inherit Luka Modrić’s iconic number 10 shirt, but that role ultimately went to Kylian Mbappé, Madrid’s high-profile summer signing.
In the meantime, Güler is expected to fill in for Jude Bellingham during the Englishman’s early-season absence, with the coaching staff positioning him as a crucial creative outlet.
