“I’m going to Real Madrid”: Dean Huijsen’s bold prediction comes true

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen and Manchester City attacker Antoine Semenyo go way back. The two were teammates at Bournemouth under head coach Andoni Iraola, forming a close friendship during their time on England’s south coast.

Their paths split soon after. Huijsen made a high-profile move to Madrid last summer, while Semenyo stayed in the Premier League before joining City in January, stepping into Pep Guardiola’s squad midseason.

Champions League reunion brings laughs

Fate brought them back together in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, when Real Madrid faced Manchester City. This time, they lined up as opponents, no longer teammates at Bournemouth.

Speaking to ItsAllOutFooty, Semenyo shared a lighthearted story about their pregame exchanges.

“He was texting me the night before, saying, ‘I’m going to kick the shit out of you,’” Semenyo said, laughing. “And I told him, ‘Listen, just calm down, buddy. We get you’re at Real Madrid, just calm down.’”

Huijsed called Real Madrid move early

According to Semenyo, Huijsen’s confidence in his career path was clear from the very beginning.

“It’s funny, because when he signed for Bournemouth, he said, ‘I’m going to sign for Real Madrid next year,’” Semenyo recalled. “And then he actually did it the next summer. I was like, ‘Fair play.’”

It is the kind of self-belief that tends to define players who make it to the very top.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.