Nijstad throws a wink at Barcelona

FC Barcelona

Ruud Nijstad does not hide what his ideal destination would be, as the promising centre-back from Twente said that his main goal is to wear the shirt of FC Barcelona one day and share the defensive line with Pau Cubarsí, one of the players he admires most.

The Dutch defender, just 18 years old, explained that he was impressed by the level shown by Cubarsí and admitted that following his performances, which have served as inspiration for him. 'Playing for FC Barcelona and forming a central defence with Cubarsí would be my ultimate goal', he said in an interview with the Dutch outlet Sportnieuws.

Nijstad made it clear that he is in no rush to take the next step in his career, and the centre-back believes he still needs to complete his development at Twente, where he hopes to keep building experience before taking a major leap into European football.

The name of the Netherlands Under-19 international has already appeared on Barcelona's agenda for a few months as one of the continent's most promising centre-backs. At the Blaugrana club, they particularly value the signing of a left-footed defender who can complement Cubarsí in the future.

During the 2025/26 season, Nijstad played 24 official matches for Twente and ended up establishing himself as a starter in the decisive stage of the campaign. His progress caught the attention of both the Eredivisie and the lower ranks of the Netherlands national team.

He is a left-footed defender with good ball-carrying and distribution, personality to start building from the back and passing accuracy. He stands out for his ability to anticipate, his tactical reading and his composure under pressure, as well as offering security in aerial duels thanks to his physique. With room for improvement on the defensive side, many consider him one of the most promising defenders in Dutch football and a name to watch for the biggest European clubs.