According to Catalunya Radio, relations between FC Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong have deteriorated significantly following the midfielder’s return from the FIFA World Cup with a severe knee injury.
Internal friction has mounted inside the Catalan club regarding how the physical setback occurred and how it was subsequently managed by the player and the Netherlands national team during the tournament.
The club officials are understood to be very angry and frustrated about the circumstances surrounding the player’s medical treatment while away on international duty.
Multi-month absence expected
Initial medical assessments conducted at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper indicate that the Dutch international will be sidelined for a period ranging between three to four months.
While more tests are scheduled to take place in the coming days, early evaluations of De Jong’s right knee revealed significant instability and potential ligament damage, completely disrupting head coach Hansi Flick’s tactical planning ahead of the new season.
The club’s hierarchy believes the injury was severely exacerbated because the player pushed through intense discomfort to participate in the knockout rounds.
De Jong featured in pivotal matches while utilizing heavy bandaging and receiving painkilling injections, a medical approach that Barcelona’s staff feel compromised his long-term physical stability.
It is understandable that Barça are not at all happy with the developments, considering that De Jong already missed a chunk of matches last season due to injury and fitness issues.
Barcelona press for surgical intervention
As per the report, a definitive decision regarding the exact clinical treatment pathway will be finalized on Friday, following a final round of specialised medical tests.
While the player’s camp has traditionally favoured conservative, non-invasive recovery methods to avoid the operating table, Barcelona’s institutional stance is clear.
The club is strongly pushing for immediate surgery to definitively resolve the underlying chronic instability in the knee joint and to ensure full healing and prevent subsequent relapses, even if it delays his competitive re-integration into the first-team squad until late autumn.
It remains to be seen what De Jong decides, with an official statement regarding his injury and recovery likely to arrive once the player chooses his next move.
The post Barcelona captain’s relationship with club deteriorates after serious World Cup injury – report appeared first on Barca Universal.
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