Barcelona has faced a significant challenge ahead of the new season, confirming that Frenkie de Jong has sustained a tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. Reports indicate that the midfielder believes the injury could have been prevented.

Journalist Victor Nahe from COPE reports that De Jong holds the Netherlands national team medical staff accountable, as he was assured during the FIFA World Cup that the issue was merely minor.

After receiving this reassurance, the Barcelona midfielder continued to play despite ongoing discomfort. It was only upon returning to Spain and undergoing further examinations that he discovered the extent of the damage was far greater than initially believed.

This diagnosis leaves Barcelona without one of their key midfielders, raising questions about how the injury was managed during the tournament.

Medical Tests Reveal Full Extent of De Jong’s Injury

Barcelona has officially confirmed that De Jong sustained a tear of the MCL in his right knee, following thorough examinations at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

De Jong played the World Cup with a knee injury. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

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The club’s medical statement indicates that the Dutch international will commence conservative treatment in the coming weeks while specialists monitor his recovery.

At this point, surgery has not been scheduled, as the decision will depend on how the knee reacts during rehabilitation.

This setback is projected to keep De Jong sidelined for five to six months, potentially ruling him out for the entire first half of the 2026/27 campaign.

This situation presents a considerable setback for Hansi Flick, who anticipated that the midfielder would play a pivotal role in Barcelona’s plans this season.

De Jong Holds the Netherlands Responsible

Frenkie de Jong will be out for the first half of the 2026/27 season. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

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De Jong has expressed frustration, feeling that the injury worsened due to being advised by the Dutch national team that the issue was not serious enough to prevent him from participating in the matches.

Believing it to be a manageable issue, De Jong continued to play during the tournament despite experiencing pain.

It was only after his return to Barcelona and subsequent medical examinations that the full extent of his injury became evident.

This series of events has left the former Ajax midfielder frustrated, as scrutiny now falls on the national team’s medical staff regarding their management of the situation.