Scare Averted After His Withdrawal From the Spain National Team

The concern didn’t last long. After leaving the Spain national team camp due to muscle discomfort, defender Dean Huijsen returned to Real Madrid on Monday and underwent medical tests at Valdebebas. The results confirmed that he is only dealing with an overload — not a muscular injury.

The issue originated last Friday during Spain’s final training session in Tbilisi before facing Georgia. Near the end of the session, Huijsen felt a pull and immediately informed coach Luis de la Fuente and the medical staff. As a precaution, the manager opted to leave him out of Saturday’s match.

With Spain virtually qualified for the 2026 World Cup, De la Fuente, the medical team, and the player agreed that he should return to Madrid early to continue his recovery under controlled conditions.

Recovery Plan and Immediate Availability for Xabi Alonso

Once back in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid activated the standard medical protocol, which confirmed there is no structural damage. Club sources told EFE that the defender will undergo physiotherapy to eliminate the overload.

The initial plan is for Huijsen to train separately on Monday and Tuesday, with his condition evaluated daily. If everything progresses normally, he is expected to rejoin group training on Wednesday. All signs point to him being ready for Real Madrid’s LaLiga match on Sunday, November 23, against Elche.

This minor setback comes shortly after Huijsen recovered from a soleus injury in his left leg, which sidelined him for two matches in October. He also missed Spain’s November fixtures against Georgia and Turkey due to muscle problems.

A Key Defensive Boost for Real Madrid

With a congested schedule following the international break, the return of Dean Huijsen is a major boost for Xabi Alonso. The young center-back has been one of the bright spots of the season, providing solidity, calmness on the ball, and significant upside for the defensive line.

As Real Madrid continues its push in LaLiga and European competition, having Huijsen fully available strengthens a back line that will be tested heavily in the coming weeks.