Huijsen reveals his new number, it's available and it's historic at Real Madrid

One of the major questions raised by footballers recently signed by Real Madrid goes beyond their possible tactical and technical fit in Santiago Bernabéu locker room. It also focuses on cosmetic aspects that are of great importance for their careers as Madridists.

The jersey number is seen as a footballer's identity mark; it's more than just a number and sometimes becomes part of the mystique of the player who has worn it. One of the clearest examples is one that's currently available due to a change made during the summer of 2024: Marcelo Vieira's "12".

The legendary left back verdeamareloleft Real Madrid in the 21/22 season, although he kept playing soccer for a few more years. As soon as his departure was confirmed, Eduardo Camavinga temporarily took on that number until Nacho Fernández left. It was then that the stopper from France with Angolan roots took on the "6" left by the homegrown Madridist.

The number "12" has been waiting for its next owner since the current soccer season. The signings officially made by Real Madrid to date, Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, would have a lot to say about that debate. Especially the Spanish center back, former AFC Bournemouth player.

He won't have it easy

After all, he'll wear that number, the "12", during his drafts with the Spanish national team. The strong performance he showed during the March international break has made Luis de la Fuente consider him one of the key members of the Spanish defense. That is one of the few numbers that aren't already assigned in the national squad, a situation identical to what's happening in Real Madrid's first team.

That's why Dean Huijsen stands out as a clear candidate to take on the "12" left by Marcelo Vieira and Eduardo Camavinga. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a dilemma of similar proportions: he won't be able to use the "66" so closely tied to his image and personal brand due to LaLiga's regulations regarding jersey numbers. First team players must wear numbers between "1" and "25": only homegrown players can go beyond that numerical range.

The sum of the two digits of the last jersey number used by Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool gives a very clear result: twelve. Likewise, the mystique of that Madridist number would be kept... as it passes from a left back with great offensive talent like Marcelo himself to a player with a similar profile like Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Both the former AFC Bournemouth player and the former right back red have excellent arguments to support their claim to the "12" jersey in the new Real Madrid built by Xabi Alonso. If there's no agreement, only the intervention of the coaching staff or the sporting management could solve this minor debate that's drawing the attention of Madridists.