Barcelona will begin the 2026/27 season without Frenkie de Jong after it was confirmed that the midfielder has suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee.
De Jong represented the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Dutch were eliminated in the Round of 32.
The Barcelona midfielder is now sidelined for five to six months, with fresh reports suggesting the former Ajax star believes the injury could have been avoided.
According to journalist Victor Nahe of COPE, De Jong holds the Netherlands national team medical staff responsible after being assured during the FIFA World Cup that the problem was only minor.
Frenkie De Jong looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Netherlands and Morocco (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Nahe reports that De Jong believes the injury worsened because he was advised by the Dutch medical team that it was not serious enough to prevent him from playing.
Believing it was a manageable issue, the midfielder continued to feature during the tournament despite experiencing pain.
It was only after returning to Barcelona and undergoing more detailed medical examinations that the true extent of the damage became clear.
Barcelona’s medical statement revealed that the Dutch international will begin conservative treatment over the coming weeks while specialists monitor his recovery.
Surgery has not been scheduled at this stage, although that decision will depend on how the knee responds to rehabilitation.
Aside from being a huge setback for the player, Barcelona will also feel the impact, with De Jong expected to play a central role in the club’s plans this season.
