"De Jong does not wish to take even 1% risk with his recovery and rush things to return to action. The trauma of missing the 2024 European Championship remains fresh in the Dutchman's mind, and his absolute priority is to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup at full fitness. He will not wear the Barcelona shirt again until he feels 100% recovered."
"For Koeman, De Jong is the non-negotiable engine of his tactical setup. The coach needs his star to regain full fitness in order to lead the Oranje at the 2026 World Cup. However, for Barcelona, this poses an immediate challenge: losing their midfield metronome at the most crucial moment of the season."
Frenkie de Jong sustained a hamstring injury during training and will be sidelined for 5-6 weeks, causing him to miss critical matches including the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid and the Champions League Round of 16 against Newcastle United. De Jong has adopted a cautious approach to recovery, refusing to take any risks and insisting on 100% fitness before returning to action. His decision stems from missing the 2024 European Championship and his determination to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup in peak condition. Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman supports this conservative approach, having previously criticized Barcelona for mishandling De Jong's fitness. For Barcelona, losing their midfield anchor during the season's crucial phase presents a significant tactical challenge.
#frenkie-de-jong-injury #barcelona-midfield-crisis #2026-fifa-world-cup-preparation #recovery-and-fitness-management #champions-league-impact
Read at Barca Universal
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