Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has withdrawn from international duty ahead of Spain’s clash with Türkiye due to muscle discomfort.
The 20-year-old sat out of La Roja’s 4–0 victory over Georgia at the weekend after complaining of a possible groin injury in training on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. After undergoing further testing, Huijsen is headed back to Valdebebas.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the center back has been dropped from Luis de la Fuente’s squad in an effort to “prioritize the health and well-being of the player at all times.”
Playing without Huijsen is nothing new to Spain, though. The reigning European champions will now have been without his contributions for the last two international windows as the Real Madrid star continues to struggle with fitness.
In Huijsen’s absence, La Roja have kept three consecutive clean sheets largely thanks to the efforts of Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí and Athletic Club’s Aymeric Laporte. The two defenders will look to maintain their strong form when Spain face off with Türkiye in their final match of the calendar year.
