Frenkie de Jong has been sidelined since April 21. On that day, he suffered an ankle injury after colliding with Federico Valverde against Real Madrid, marking the third time that season he faced issues with the same ankle.
Despite his determination to join the Netherlands national team for the European Championship, he was ultimately ruled. The midfielder also missed the entire pre-season with Barcelona, further prolonging his absence from the pitch.
After enduring months of ongoing discomfort, De Jong opened up about his situation in an interview with Barça One, just before receiving medical clearance to return to action.
De Jong described his recovery journey as incredibly challenging and being unable to play during critical matches for both his club and country has taken a toll on him.
“It has been a very hard process because my passion is football and when you can’t play and you miss important games with Barça and the Euros it is difficult,” he began saying.
Rumours about the surgery
He addressed speculation regarding whether he should have undergone surgery, a suggestion that was reportedly favoured by the club but not by him.
De Jong clarified that he and the medical team agreed that avoiding surgery was the best course of action for his recovery.
“People also talked a lot about whether I had to have surgery, which the club wanted and I didn’t and it is not true. We agreed with the doctors that not having surgery would be the best option.
“I don’t understand where these things come from, but it’s not true. I understand that people are frustrated because they didn’t have all the information because I have remained silent,” he explained.
Rumours about the salary
De Jong also commented on the exaggerated figures that have been mentioned regarding his earnings. Reports have suggested he earns around €37 million, which he strongly denied, stating that his actual salary is much lower.
“They said a lot of things about me, that I don’t want to have surgery and that they pay me a lot of money.
“Very high figures, like €37 million and it’s very, very far from that. I’m not close to earning that, I’m very far from it.
He acknowledged the frustration of fans who may have misunderstood his situation, particularly regarding the surgery rumours and his absence from training.
“I understand people who get frustrated because they think I’m earning a lot of money, they say he has to have surgery, but he doesn’t want to and he’s on holiday, he’s not training, but it’s not true,” he added.
Recovery process
The midfielder shared that the recovery process has been tough, as he continuously monitors his ankle’s condition.
This mental burden has been significant for him, as he longs to return to the sport he loves. However, he has recently felt improvement and is getting closer to a comeback.
“It has been a tough process, the ankle is delicate, but I am improving and I am close to returning.
“Every day, when you get out of bed, you look at your ankle to see how it is, you are thinking about your ankle all day, so mentally it is a tough process because football is what I like most.”
He expressed optimism about rejoining his teammates, noting that he feels more confident in his ability to engage in tackles and contribute effectively.
“I’m regaining the confidence to hit hard, to get into duels, I’m not far from being back with the team.
Eager to join the team
De Jong is excited about the current state of the team, observing that they are performing well, and filled with energy and quality. He looks forward to returning to a positive atmosphere within the squad.
“I see the team doing well, with energy and a lot of quality, we play well, there’s a good atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to being part of that,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned his eagerness to potentially wear the captain’s armband. With the arrival of Hansi Flick, de Jong feels motivated, as the coach encourages every player to give their all.
“He asks me what he asks everyone else, to give my all. When I come back we’ll see where I play, it will be up to the manager, I like the way we are playing in the midfield,” he concluded.
