Madrid’s Clever Comeback Plan: Dean Huijsen’s Return Timeline Ahead of El Clasico
9 October 2025
Injury Update and Return Timeline
Real Madrid disclosed the injury details of young defender Dean Huijsen after comprehensive medical tests sidelined him from Spain duty.
Officials confirmed a left calf muscle injury (gastrocnemius) that he sustained while with the national team.
Club sources noted there is no fixed return date for such cases, but close aides told Mundo Deportivo that Huijsen could be out for about 12 to 15 days.
This implies he will miss the October 19 match against Getafe, with the October 23 Champions League date versus Juventus in doubt, while the likelihood of a return for the October 26 Clasico remains cautiously optimistic if rehab goes to plan.
The young Spaniard had drawn attention this season for his balanced defensive work and his ability to contribute with ball progression, joining up with Spain while dealing with mild discomfort.
After full consultation with Real Madrid’s medical staff, it was decided he needed rest and he returned to the club for full evaluation and treatment.
Huijsen underwent a battery of MRI and ultrasound tests to determine the extent of the injury.
Madrid’s medical statement indicated a mild tear in the left leg with no major complications, meaning no long-term treatment or surgery, just an intensive rehab program under the club’s medical team.
Inside the club, officials explained that he has already begun the first phase of rehab—daily sessions to ease inflammation, followed by strengthening work and balance training in the coming days.
The plan aims for him to rejoin team training in roughly two weeks, provided there are no setbacks.
Coach Xabi Alonso and the staff expressed measured relief after the results, as there had been initial concern about a more serious injury.
Huijsen is regarded as a key option at centre-back for Alonso, particularly with a busy October schedule that includes La Liga and the Champions League, culminating in the Clasico against Barcelona.
The coach knows that keeping the backline ready is essential given injuries to other regulars in recent weeks.
As a result, Alonso is expected to rotate players carefully in upcoming matches to avoid further muscular injuries that have burdened the squad early in the season.
Spanish media report that Madrid’s medical staff coordinate daily with the coaching team to set a precise return timetable and monitor every step of the rehab.
Huijsen is expected to begin light jogging on the pitch next week, a positive sign, with a final Clasico inclusion decision made a few days before the match.
The young defender has earned strong trust within the club, showing maturity beyond his years and the ability to build plays from the back with accurate passing and smart positioning.
His passing accuracy this season has surpassed 91%, and he has featured in several crucial fixtures, proving calm under pressure and becoming a pleasant early-season surprise.
With these indications, the staff hopes for a progressive return to full training in the week before the Clasico, a match at the Bernabeu that could shape La Liga’s title race and allow Madrid to assert local supremacy.
Amid cautious optimism at Valdebebas and Huijsen’s ambition to reclaim his spot, Madrid endures a period of anticipation before the Clasico, while Huijsen races against time to be ready for the big date.
PUNCHLINE-1: If injuries were a transfer, this one would be a loan with an option to buy... and the option never seems to be exercised in time.
PUNCHLINE-2: In Madrid, even the physio schedule has plot twists—this isn’t a comeback, it’s a cliffhanger in La Liga’s weekly soap opera.
