Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out with a medial collateral ligament tear in his right knee, Barcelona confirmed. The Dutch midfielder revealed the injury originated during the World Cup but worsened after returning to club duties for pre-season medical examinations. De Jong will pursue conservative treatment rather than surgery as he focuses on rehabilitation.
How the Injury Unfolded
De Jong sustained the knee damage while representing the Netherlands at the World Cup, where he played through discomfort across four matches before the Dutch were eliminated by Morocco in the last-32 penalty shootout. Initial scans suggested a minor injury with no risk of deterioration if he continued playing. "During the World Cup I injured my knee," De Jong explained in a statement. "After the first scans, the doctors told me it was a small injury and that it would not get worse if I continued playing."
The true severity only became apparent after his return to Barcelona for more comprehensive testing during the off-season. Advanced imaging revealed the ligament damage was far more serious than initially assessed, forcing the club to adjust his availability for the upcoming campaign under manager Hansi Flick.
De Jong's History of Setbacks
This latest injury compounds a frustrating pattern for the Spanish midfielder. Two years ago, a persistent ankle issue forced him to miss the European Championship entirely. More recently, a thigh muscle strain sidelined him for nearly two months between February and April during the 2025–26 season. Since joining Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 for €75 million, De Jong has won three La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies despite recurring fitness problems.
De Jong used his statement to defend his professionalism against speculation regarding his commitment to the club. "It is difficult for me to see that people question my relationship and my commitment to the club with false news," he said. "I take my profession, my body and my responsibility with the team very seriously. But, sometimes, there are things you can't control and this injury is one of them."
Despite the setback, the 27-year-old remains optimistic about his return and reaffirmed his dedication to Barcelona and the Dutch national team. His recovery timeline remains unclear, but the decision to avoid surgery suggests a potential return within weeks rather than months, pending successful rehabilitation of the ligament damage.
