Key Takeaways:
- Dean Huijsen was ruled out of Spain’s last World Cup qualifier against Türkiye due to persistent muscle discomfort
- Huijsen became the fifth Real Madrid player to withdraw from international squads during this break
- His availability for Real Madrid’s trip to Elche this weekend remains uncertain pending further medical assessment
Another Setback for Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen has become the latest casualty for Real Madrid during the international break, withdrawing from the Spain squad for a second successive month due to injury. The defender experienced discomfort during training ahead of Spain’s previous fixture and was absent from the side’s emphatic win in Georgia on Saturday. Despite initial optimism regarding his recovery in time for the upcoming match against Türkiye at La Cartuja, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that Huijsen would remain unavailable as a result of ongoing muscle issues.
🚨 BREAKING: Dean Huijsen is returning to Madrid.
He will NOT play vs Turkey and his break is over. @miguelitocope pic.twitter.com/95Z3CEvtWa
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 16, 2025
As stated in the RFEF’s official announcement: “Dean Huijsen has been disqualified for the last qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup that will pit Spain against Türkiye, due to muscle discomfort that already prevented him from playing against Georgia, and of which his club has been informed at all times.
“As usual, and prioritising the health and well-being of the player at all times, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has taken the decision to release the player.”
Real Madrid’s Growing Injury List
Huijsen’s withdrawal brings the tally to five Real Madrid players who have left national team duty during the current international period. The defender joins Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, and Eduardo Camavinga, all of whom have also been forced to pull out of their respective squads due to injury concerns.
| Player | National Team | Reason for Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Huijsen | Spain | Muscle discomfort |
| Thibaut Courtois | Belgium | Injury |
| Fede Valverde | Uruguay | Injury |
| Kylian Mbappe | France | Injury |
| Eduardo Camavinga | France | Injury |
Uncertainty Ahead of Elche Clash
With Real Madrid set to visit Elche this weekend, all attention turns to Huijsen’s recovery and whether he will be fit for selection. The club’s medical team is currently evaluating his condition in the days leading up to the fixture. Although Huijsen has endured a challenging few weeks, having struggled in several recent matches, there was no guarantee he would have started against Elche regardless. However, the injury is likely to rule him out of consideration for the starting eleven.
Should Huijsen remain unavailable, Xabi Alonso is expected to rely on a defensive partnership of Raul Asencio and Eder Militao in his line-up. Supporters now await further updates on Huijsen’s fitness as Real Madrid’s preparations for the weekend continue.
