Real Madrid unexpectedly suffers a heavy blow

Real Madrid has just confirmed that young defender Dean Huijsen has suffered a muscle injury and will miss the upcoming matches, causing headaches for coach Xabi Alonso amid a congested schedule.

According to an official statement from Real Madrid, Dean Huijsen sustained an injury to the soleus muscle in his left leg after medical staff examined him at the Valdebebas training center. The 20-year-old player has been forced to withdraw from the Spanish national team, where he was recently called up for two World Cup qualifying matches. World Cup 2026 against Georgia and Bulgaria in October. Tests indicate he will need to rest for 12 to 15 days.

Huijsen is expected to miss the La Liga match against Getafe on October 20 but may return for the Champions League clash with Juventus three days later, and more importantly, be fit enough to participate in the El Clásico against Barcelona on October 26. This period is crucial as Real Madrid needs their strongest squad to maintain their top position in La Liga.

Since the start of the season, Dean Huijsen has been one of the standout figures in Real Madrid’s defense. Under coach Xabi Alonso, he has secured a guaranteed starting spot, appearing in every match across all competitions except one where he was suspended. He is regarded as the new “iron shield” of Los Blancos following the departure of several veteran key players, thanks to his composed playing style, excellent situational reading, and strong coordination with Eder Militao.

Huijsen’s injury comes at a time when Real Madrid is already struggling with personnel issues in defense. The royal team’s backline has been depleted with Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold still not fully recovered. The Spanish defender’s hospitalization forces Xabi Alonso to rotate the defense during this intense period, as Real prepares for a critical trio of matches in La Liga and the Champions League.

In the 3-1 victory over Villarreal last weekend, Huijsen played the full 90 minutes but likely experienced muscle issues towards the end of the game. Although the injury is not severe, losing a player in such good form worries Xabi Alonso. “Huijsen is a key part of our defensive structure, and we will not take any risks with his injury,” an insider from Real shared.

Real Madrid currently leads La Liga with 7 wins from 8 matches, two points ahead of Barcelona. In the Champions League, they have also won both opening games. However, Huijsen’s absence during this sensitive period is undoubtedly a significant loss, especially as the season enters a demanding and continuous stretch of fixtures.

Real Madrid’s goal now is to ensure Huijsen fully recovers before the El Clasico — a match that could directly impact the La Liga title race.

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