Real Madrid defender will travel with the team to Saudi Arabia, not ruled out for Spanish Super Cup semifinal | OneFootball

Dean Huijsen did not make Real Madrid’s squad to face Real Betis, and thus missed the team’s first game of 2026 after suffering a rectus muscle injury earlier this week.

The prognosis of his setback, however, was uncertain and reports suggested that his participation in the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid was in jeopardy.

Needless to say, the development came as a massive blow to Xabi Alonso’s plans for the event in Saudi Arabia, for Huijsen has largely been a regular starter for Los Blancos this season.

New update

Now, as relayed by Mario Cortegana in a recent update, Huijsen is expected to travel with the squad to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup in what is a much-needed boost for the team.

Should Alonso start Huijsen if he is fit against Atletico Madrid? (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Further, the player is in contention to return to the match day squad to face Atletico Madrid midweek and all hope is not lost over his participation.

In the Spaniard’s absence, Alonso started the duo of Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio against Real Betis on Sunday night and it remains to be seen if Huijsen’s return sees him return immediately to the starting XI or not.

After all, the Rudiger-Asencio experiment has not worked out too bad and the manager will be in a serious dilemma as to which of the two players to drop. Further, throwing Huijsen into the deep end just after he returns from injury may not be the best way to go.

So far this season, Huijsen has started 12 league games for Real Madrid and has overseen three clean sheets in that duration. He has scored once and provided one assist and averages over ten defensive actions per game.