Real Madrid hit with major injury concern with defender forced out of Spain squad as Clasico looms

Real Madrid will anxiously wait to discover the extent of the injury to Dean Huijsen that has forced him out of the Spain squad.

Huijsen was this morning replaced in the group that will take on Georgia and Bulgaria over the next week due to an unspecified muscle problem.

Aymeric Laporte, now back at Athletic Bilbao following his switch from Al-Nassr last month, will replace him. The 31-year-old has not played for Spain since appearing in the Nations League in November 2024.

A Spain press release read: “Dean Huijsen has an injury and has withdrawn from the National Team squad to play the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia in Elche and Bulgaria in Valladolid.

“The Real Madrid defender arrived with symptoms of muscle fatigue on Monday night. On Tuesday he did not train and his club was informed that the evolution was not positive, and on Wednesday morning he underwent a medical test that confirms a muscle injury of which Real Madrid has already been informed. We wish him a speedy recovery.

“Aymeric Laporte will join the squad as his replacement.”

Madrid will hope Huijsen recovers soon

It is a worry for Madrid with a number of important games on the horizon after the international break.

They resume domestic action with a trip to Getafe on October 19 before a Champions League clash against Juventus at the Santiago Bernabéu three days later. The following weekend sees Madrid host Barcelona in the season’s first Clasico.

Huijsen has been hugely impressive since joining Madrid from Bournemouth over the summer. He has played in seven of their eight La Liga games and is arguably first choice in central defence.