Frenkie de Jong's situation with FC Barcelona is extremely complex, as the player is suffering from a knee injury sustained during his participation with the Netherlands national team at the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, and the 29-year-old is still recovering.
Relations between de Jong and Barcelona are tense, especially since the player refused knee surgery and opted for conservative treatment, while the Dutch international's starting position at the club is now threatened following the signing of Rodri from Manchester City.
The newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" reported that de Jong suffered a tear in the medial collateral ligament of his right knee during the World Cup, with the injury being diagnosed on July 23, despite reports indicating that the injury occurred on June 16.
A source told the newspaper that the main reason for Barcelona's delay in confirming de Jong's injury was that the player received an incorrect diagnosis of the nature of the injury from the Netherlands national team's technical staff, who allowed the midfielder to continue playing. Additionally, de Jong traveled to Ibiza for two weeks to spend his summer vacation after his World Cup campaign with the Netherlands ended, so Barcelona was unaware of the severity of the injury.
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Mundo Deportivo added that de Jong chose conservative treatment for recovery rather than surgery to avoid a long absence from the pitch. Barcelona's medical staff respected the player's decision, and it was agreed to monitor his condition continuously.
The report clarified that Barcelona's medical staff will begin to assess de Jong's condition more clearly after the next international break, which will start on September 21 and last until October 10 or 11, while the player will be keen to continue his conservative treatment for recovery.
It was further noted that de Jong hopes to return to Barcelona's training in October, specifically on the 8th, which is the date when international players return to training after their participation with their national teams, provided the player feels well and does not suffer from any additional knee pain, while also ensuring that de Jong is physically ready to participate.
Mundo emphasized the importance of de Jong being physically fit to play, especially as Barcelona will face several difficult matches, including against Getafe, Galatasaray, Real Betis, and Paris Saint-Germain, followed by the El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 25. Coach Hansi Flick will assess the player's condition.
De Jong is currently training on the grass, but without touching the ball, as he works on completing his conservative treatment.
