{"id":71243,"date":"2026-08-16T16:35:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T16:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/71243\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T16:35:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T16:35:07","slug":"de-jong-hits-back-at-false-reports-over-barcelona-fitness-and-attitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/71243\/","title":{"rendered":"De Jong Hits Back at \u2018False\u2019 Reports Over Barcelona Fitness and Attitude"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rabat \u2013 Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has publicly rejected<\/a> what he described as \u201cfalse\u201d and damaging reports surrounding his fitness, attitude and relationship with head coach Hansi Flick.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Barcelona\u2019s club media on Friday, De Jong addressed speculation that has intensified since he returned injured from the 2026 World Cup, where the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the round of 32.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old suffered a knee problem during a Netherlands training session but continued playing after being told the injury was unlikely to worsen. He started against Morocco despite experiencing discomfort.<\/p>\n

Further examinations following his return to Barcelona revealed torn ligaments in his right knee, a more serious injury than initially diagnosed. Reuters reported in July that De Jong would be sidelined for several weeks but did not require surgery at that stage.<\/p>\n

De Jong has opted for conservative treatment rather than an operation and insists the rehabilitation plan has been agreed upon by everyone involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now I\u2019m doing work with the physical therapists,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve made a plan which everyone knows about and everyone agrees with.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Jong denies refusing Atl\u00e9tico match<\/p>\n

The Dutch international also strongly rejected reports that he refused to play in Barcelona\u2019s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid last season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s false, it\u2019s simply not true,\u201d De Jong said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dream is to play for Bar\u00e7a and, above all, in the big Champions League matches. Everyone wants to play in those matches. I don\u2019t understand how anyone could say that I refused.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Jong had been recovering from a hamstring injury at the time and eventually featured for only the final 10 minutes of the game.<\/p>\n

The latest controversy comes less than a year after Barcelona appeared to have finally secured De Jong\u2019s long-term future. In October 2025, he signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2029. Barcelona said at the time that De Jong felt comfortable at the club and enjoyed a strong relationship with Flick.<\/p>\n

Read also: De Jong Extends Contract with Barcelona Until 2029<\/a><\/p>\n

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