Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong Out for Weeks with Knee Injury
Barcelona faces an early challenge in the run-up to the 2026/27 season as midfielder Frenkie de Jong has sustained a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for several weeks.
The Spanish club announced that the Netherlands international has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
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Although Barcelona did not specify a timeline for his return, it is positive that the injury will not require surgery. De Jong will start a rehabilitation program in hopes of returning as soon as possible.
The injury was identified following a series of medical examinations conducted over the past few days.
De Jong had been experiencing discomfort while on international duty during the World Cup, often seen with a protective bandage on his right knee.
After the tournament, De Jong received additional recovery time and visited Barcelona’s training facilities earlier this week for further evaluations, leading to the final diagnosis.
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This news is a significant disappointment for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who anticipated having one of his most seasoned midfielders available at the start of the season.
Last season, De Jong was a vital player for Barcelona, appearing in 38 matches across all competitions. He contributed one goal and provided eight assists, averaging two interceptions, 2.3 tackles, 2.3 clearances, and five ball recoveries per 90 minutes.
De Jong also excelled in the air, winning half of his aerial duels and achieving a 59% success rate in ground battles.
Despite this setback, Barcelona does not plan to alter their transfer strategy. The club is confident in its midfield strength and depth to manage De Jong’s absence.
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Barcelona is continuing with its transfer activity, focusing on a potential exit for Marc Casado rather than searching for a replacement for De Jong.
De Jong’s latest injury continues a frustrating run of fitness problems.
Over the past two seasons, he has faced several injuries, including a severe ankle issue and a thigh injury that kept him out for nearly two months last season.