Real Madrid have suffered yet another setback on the injury front, as breakout star Dean Huijsen has been diagnosed with a muscle injury.
Despite sitting at the top of La Liga with a healthy three-point cushion over arch-rivals Barcelona, Xabi Alonso’s side are facing an increasingly precarious situation in defense.
Right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal are both sidelined, as are Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy.
Eder Militao, meanwhile, only recently returned to fitness in Los Blancos’ 3-1 win over Villarreal on October 4.
Huijsen withdraws from Spain duty
Following Madrid’s win over Villarreal, Huijsen linked up with Spanish national team for their upcoming matches against Georgia and Bulgaria.
However, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday (October 8) that the 20-year-old had been forced to withdraw from Luis de la Fuente’s squad due to injury, with Aymeric Laporte called up as his replacement.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“The Real Madrid defender arrived with symptoms of muscle fatigue at the Spanish National Team’s training camp on Monday night,” the Federation’s statement said.
“On Tuesday he did not train, and his club was informed that the evolution was not positive, so on Wednesday morning he underwent a medical test confirming a muscle injury of which Real Madrid has already been informed. We wish him a speedy recovery.”
Shortly afterward, Real Madrid released a statement confirming that Huijsen had sustained “a muscular injury to the soleus muscle in his left leg.”
How long will Huijsen be sidelined for?
Huijsen medical report.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 8, 2025
Huijsen’s absence is a blow for Alonso, as the young Spaniard has established himself as a key figure in Madrid’s backline since joining from AFC Bournemouth over the summer.
Fortunately, reports from Diario AS suggest the injury is relatively minor, with the defender expected to miss roughly 12-15 days.
If that timeline holds, he will miss Madrid’s upcoming match against Getafe and could be a doubt for their Champions League clash with Juventus, but should return in time for El Clasico on October 26.
His injury adds to Madrid’s growing defensive crisis, leaving Alonso with limited options as Carvajal, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, and Mendy all continue their recoveries.
Real Madrid news and related links
- Real Madrid superstar reveals how shock Barcelona move nearly happened
- Xabi Alonso given important reprieve on key midfielder's fitness ahead of international break
- Real Madrid superstar earns recall to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad