Frenkie de Jong Eager to Resume International Career After Injury Setback
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has expressed his doubts about fully recovering from a persistent ankle injury, but he is now optimistic about resuming his international career after a hiatus of over a year.
De Jong faced nearly six months on the sidelines due to a series of ankle issues, which kept him from representing the Netherlands since September 2023. His absence was felt during the Euro 2024 qualifiers, ultimately leading to him missing the tournament in Germany, where the Dutch team was eliminated in the semi-finals by England.
Looking ahead, De Jong is expected to see action in the Nations League match against Hungary this Saturday, as Ronald Koeman’s squad prepares for their penultimate Group A3 clash in Amsterdam.
Reflecting on his recovery, De Jong admitted, “Did I wonder whether I would ever fully recover? That crossed my mind sometimes, but I always had the confidence that I would eventually be able to play football again.” He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline and whether his ankle would return to its previous condition.
The 27-year-old revealed that the most challenging aspect of his injury was missing this year’s European Championships. He watched all of the Dutch national team’s matches but avoided watching other games to lessen the emotional toll. “That was tough. I did not want to be confronted with it every time,” he shared.
Recently, De Jong was substituted during Barcelona’s loss to Real Sociedad in LaLiga, raising concerns about another potential setback. However, he reassured fans that the injury was not serious. “I first got a blow on the muscle next to my shin and then another kick, but it was nothing to do with my knee or ankle. I knew it was not a serious injury, but it did bother me a lot.”
As he prepares to return to the pitch for the Netherlands, Frenkie de Jong is ready to put his injury struggles behind him and contribute to his national team once again.
