Spain and Portugal will collide in the UEFA Nations League final, a high-stakes Iberian showdown between two nations desperate to become the first team to win the competition twice. With Spain claiming the 2023 title and Portugal lifting the inaugural trophy in 2019, Munich will witness a clash not only between traditional rivals but also between generations — Cristiano Ronaldo, the enduring icon, and Dean Huijsen, Spain’s emerging enforcer, on a collision course.
The final, set for June 8, comes on the heels of two explosive semi-finals. Spain edged past France 5-4 in a thriller, while Ronaldo once again delivered on the big stage, scoring the winner in Portugal’s 2-1 comeback victory over Germany. These results tee up a tantalizing narrative: La Roja’s exhilarating new generation meets a Portuguese side still driven by one of football’s most prolific legends.
In the build-up to Sunday’s final, a comment from Spain’s 20-year-old centre-back Dean Huijsen has added extra fuel to the fire. The defender, recently signed by Real Madrid from Bournemouth for $67.5 million, is widely seen as the successor to Sergio Ramos — a composed yet assertive force in defense.
Although Huijsen has yet to make his debut for Real Madrid, his performances at an international level are already turning heads. Starting against France in the semi-final, he impressed not just with his defending but also with his attacking instincts. His first-half goal — a beautifully crafted finish following a slick team move — was disallowed for a marginal offside, but his involvement left a lasting impression.
Despite the near miss and a late French surge that saw Spain concede three times in the final 11 minutes, Huijsen and La Roja held firm, sealing an unforgettable 5-4 win and setting the stage for the final.
What did Huijsen say?
While much of the media focus has revolved around Ronaldo’s late-career resurgence, Huijsen issued a subtle yet striking challenge to the Portuguese superstar when asked about the prospect of facing him in Munich. His words were both respectful and provocative:
“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,” Huijsen told COPE.
That last sentence — a seven-word warning, equal parts admiration and ambition — hints at a deeper competitive fire in the young defender. It marks a moment of transition, where football’s next generation is no longer content to merely admire its idols — they want to beat them.
