Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong on ankle injury – 'It's something I have to take into account'
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong he went through a hellish 2024 with injuries, as a recurring ankle problem kept him out for most of the calendar year. The injury happened twice during the 2023-24 season, but after it happened again during the Clasico in April, he spent the next six months out.
Returning to training initially in early June, de Jong aggravated the injury while with the Dutch national team, and was sent home to recover properly.
“At first I was concerned with the ankle day and night. As soon as I woke up, I immediately felt it. Is it swollen? Did it respond? Now I have almost lost that feeling. However, the ankle has become something that I have to take into account. For this means that I will continue to pay extra attention, in the form of care. For some players it is his knee, and I have it with my ankle,” he told Voetbal International (via Sport).
Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor will not be able to play in the Champions League if they are not registered. @didacpeyret
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 2, 2025
De Jong also explained his disappointment at not winning more trophies in Catalonia, five years after joining the club.
“I have to admit that when I signed up for Barcelona I didn't imagine that I would only win a Liga, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa after four years. I was expecting at least double that, so I'm disappointed. Things happen and you can't predict them.
The Dutch midfielder turns 28 in May, and looking at perhaps his last major contract, he will reach a crossroads in his career. It seems difficult to regain his place in the starting eleven, with Pedri and Marc Casado looking at home for Hansi Flick. He also has Gavi competing for minutes in a deeper role, although he was used further forward on one occasion by Flick.
