Europa League
Real Madrid defenders battle for No. 4 shirt
Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio are competing for Real Madrid's vacant No. 4 shirt after David Alaba's exit. Their race will affect the number that new left‑back Marc Cucurella can wear. Miguel Angel Diaz reported the enquiry from both defenders.
David Alaba left Real Madrid at the end of last season following a difficult spell marked by fitness struggles. He arrived as a free agent and started well before injuries limited his impact. His departure opened a central‑defence vacancy that Ibrahima Konate appears set to fill.
Huijsen began the season ahead of Asencio in the pecking order, but by season's end the gap had narrowed. Both players' standing will be reassessed under new manager Jose Mourinho. The outcome will determine who inherits the iconic jersey.
Real Madrid tekent Bernardo Silva en Cucurella terwijl Mourinho de verdediging herbouwt
Real Madrid's No. 4 jersey has previously been worn by club legends Sergio Ramos, Fernando Hierro and Emilio Butragueno. Ramos held the number for a decade and a half before Alaba took it. The shirt carries a legacy of defensive stalwarts. Marc Cucurella wore No. 3 at Chelsea, but that number is occupied at Real Madrid by Eder Militao. Cucurella prefers the No. 24 he uses for the Spanish national team, which is currently assigned to Dean Huijsen. If Huijsen secures No. 4, Cucurella could claim No. 24; otherwise he will need an alternative. A photo by Angel Martinez captures Huijsen's pursuit of the jersey. Another image by Warren Little shows Cucurella evaluating his options.