Dean Huijsen Spain saga takes fresh twist as what happened before World Cup squad omission revealed

The saga surrounding Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen's omission from Spain's World Cup squad has taken an unexpected twist.

Huijsen was left out of manager Luis de la Fuente's final 26-man squad for the World Cup when it was named on Monday morning.

It is the first time since 1950 that no Real Madrid player will be involved for Spain at a World Cup, with Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia and Dani Carvajal among the other players to miss out.

Huijsen's absence is the most surprising of those names, however, given he played the full 90 minutes in Spain's most recent international fixture against Egypt in March.

The 21-year-old, who signed for Real from Bournemouth for £50 million last summer, appeared to send a pointed message on Instagram shortly before the squad announcement.

He posted a graphic of Sofascore's Team of the Season for 2025/26, which featured himself at centre-back alongside the Barcelona duo of Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia. Both Barca players are in the Spain squad.

READ MORE: Dean Huijsen sent pointed message to Spain manager minutes before World Cup squad omission

'Clear lack of honesty' - Huijsen 'devastated' by Spain World Cup omission

Now, Spanish newspaper OK Diario has shed more light on Huijsen's reaction to his omission - with several surprise revelations.

They claim that the centre-back thought his inclusion in the Spain squad was 'practically considered a sure thing' given his significant use in promotional campaigns prior to the final announcement - the amount of which he is said to have complained to Real Madrid bosses about.

It is also reported that, a few weeks ago, a film crew 'visited the footballer's family home to prepare a documentary related to the national team and the World Cup'.

Huijsen's inner circle are said to believe there has been 'a clear lack of honesty with the player', while Huijsen himself has been left 'devastated'.

SPORTbible have contacted Real Madrid CF for comment.

Real failed to win a trophy in Spanish or continental football this summer, amid numerous reports of player falling-outs within the dressing room.

Huijsen was not among those players, but he endured on-pitch struggles during his opening months at the Bernabeu which were partly fuelled by injury issues.

The 21-year-old could have represented Netherlands at international level, as he was born there and represented their youth teams, but decided to play for Spain instead having lived there since the age of five.

He has collected seven caps since making his senior international debut in 2024 but will not add to that number this summer.