Overview
- Barcelona confirmed a tear of the medial collateral ligament in Frenkie de Jong’s right knee and said he will follow conservative treatment under the club’s medical supervision.
- The player and club agreed to reassess progress after roughly three weeks before deciding whether surgery is necessary, with media reporting a likely five-to-six-month layoff if an operation becomes unavoidable.
- De Jong says he first injured the knee at the World Cup and was told by Netherlands medical staff that the problem was minor, a sequence that has prompted strong frustration from Barcelona officials.
- If De Jong remains unavailable beyond the club’s cut-off later in the year, Barcelona may register him as a long-term absentee to free salary space and could seek compensation through FIFA’s Club Protection Programme.
- The diagnosis adds to a history of repeated injuries for De Jong at Barcelona and immediately forces coach Hansi Flick to adjust preseason plans and midfield options for the start of the season.