Real Madrid are dealing with yet another defensive headache. Star defenders are ruled out due to injury ahead of big games against Getafe, Juventus, and Barcelona.
Injury chaos hits defenders at Real Madrid
It feels like deja vu at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid finds themselves once again counting injuries in defence rather than points on the table. Xabi Alonso, not even a few months in the job yet, has had to do continuous reshuffling with his back line breaking down again. The latest addition to the injury report is Dean Huijsen, the young summer signing who had a knock just when he seemed to be finding his feet.
The timing couldn’t be worse, the series of big games with Getafe away, Juventus at home in the UCL and then Barcelona away in a Clasico. This is followed immediately by the loss of multiple defensive players, has left Alonso stretched to the limit. There are five defenders out injured, and the defense is being regarded more like a jigsaw puzzle than a solid team unit. Each day of training is tenuous, with the fitness team working non-stop just to put players in the position to cope with what will be an intense couple of weeks ahead.
Latest injury update on Madrid defenders
❗️Players who are currently injured:
🏥 Dean Huijsen
🏥 Rüdiger
🏥 Dani Carvajal
🏥 Trent
🏥 Ferland Mendy pic.twitter.com/NH1ayyyiJU— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 8, 2025
Let’s talk about it one stage at a time. Trent Alexander-Arnold has missed key games from the middle of the month of September and he’s improving, he is unlikely to take part in the El Clasico. The club are hopeful of him being within the match-day squad but he has not had suitable training or playing time to be able to reasonably start this match. Dani Carvajal has also missed some key games. He is likely to make a return around the same time, though even that remains touch-and-go.
Antonio Rudiger’s issue is probably more concerning. The German star has been ruled out for three months, meaning Madrid will not have their most dependable centre-back until at least December. His injury creates a massive void in central defence, not just in terms of leadership, but also body. On the brighter side, Dean Huijsen’s issue is relatively minor. The young defender is likely to be back in two weeks.
Finally there’s Ferland Mendy, who is one of the biggest enigmas out of all of this. He hasn’t played since the FIFA Club World Cup and the club has not really given a definitive reason for his extended absence, which is obviously curious. Initially, it was mentioned that his return would take three months, but considering that without updates from the club, it’s hard not to think that there is actually something serious going on and that the club is keeping it quiet.
What Alonso needs to figure out
Here’s the thing , no manager wants to enter the most crucial stretch of the season with half his defence unavailable. Alonso has to find quick fixes. Expect more minutes for the academy lads and perhaps a tactical shuffle that protects the backline.
If there’s one positive, it’s the club’s track record of surviving such injury crises. They’ve managed it before. At the end, the risk isn’t great. Now, the calls Alonso will need to take in this tough times may well define the season for the Spanish giants.
Author’s Opinion:
At the moment, Real Madrid’s defense is in need of solid depth. Alonso needs players back quickly. There is a lot of talent, but not a lot of talent. The physios will have to pull off their miracles, and if they do, then Madrid will likely get through it. If not, these coming weeks could get messy.
