Barcelona aims to close the gap with the LaLiga leader for the rest of the season, a goal that could be facilitated by the full recovery of Frenkie de Jong, who recently overcame a serious ankle injury. The Dutch midfielder, under contract until 2026, nevertheless keeps the door open regarding his future.
De Jong sustained the injury last April, missing both league matches and the European Championship, where the Netherlands were eliminated by England in the semifinals. The former Ajax player returned to action this October and has played 13 matches so far, mainly as a substitute.
“In the early stages of my ankle injury, I thought about it day and night. It was the toughest year for me. As soon as I woke up, I would ask myself: ‘Has it improved? Is there any reaction?’ I always had to consider my ankle; it was a serious injury”, he admitted.
The midfielder has a contract with the Catalan club until the summer of 2026 but does not seem worried about speculation surrounding his future.
“For the newspapers, the issue of my contract is important, but not for me. I want to play football, and then I’ll see what the club’s intentions are. Afterward, together with my agent and my family, I’ll decide which direction to take”, he explained.
“People think I want to stay at Barça forever because life outside football here is fantastic, and it’s true. However, what happens on the pitch is essential. If I felt I couldn’t give enough or that the team wasn’t competitive, I would leave the club”, added the Dutch international.
De Jong joined Barcelona five and a half years ago from Ajax for €80 million. During this period, he has played 226 matches, scored 18 goals, and provided 22 assists, but has won only three trophies.
“To be honest, when I signed for Barça, I didn’t imagine that after four years I would have only won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. I expected at least double, so I was disappointed. However, some things cannot be predicted”, he concluded in an interview with the Dutch magazine Voetbal International.