FC Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong has publicly denounced what he describes as an ongoing media campaign targeting his reputation, declaring during an interview with club media that he will no longer remain silent about false reports concerning his career, injuries, and club relations.
Denouncing False Reports and Media Pressure
De Jong, who is approaching his eighth season with the Catalan club at age 29, addressed mounting scrutiny regarding his performances, fitness issues, and contract status. According to reporting from El Periódico, the Dutch midfielder opted to counterattack after growing frustrated with what he views as unfair and fabricated narratives circulating in the press. “They are writing so many things that are false that I notice it is damaging my image,” De Jong stated during the interview with official club media.
Without prompting, the midfielder specifically called out Jijantes journalist Gerard Romero over a past report. “He said that I refused to play last season against Atlètic in the Champions League. It is false,” De Jong said. He also pushed back against widespread speculation regarding his personal relationships within the organization. “They also said that my relationship with the boss [Hansi Flick] is very bad, and that is absolutely false. I have a very good relationship with him. You can ask him. And it is also false that my relationship with the club is bad…” De Jong added, furrowing his brow and concluding, “I won’t let it pass anymore.”
Injury Timeline and Medical Discrepancies
The public defense also touched upon De Jong’s ongoing fitness battles, notably a right knee injury sustained during the World Cup where the Netherlands reached the Round of 16 before elimination against Morocco. De Jong explained that the initial issue—a rupture of the internal lateral ligament in his right knee—was not detected by Dutch medical staff when the incident occurred.
According to De Jong’s account published by El Periódico, he was initially told by national team staff that he could continue playing through the pain and that the condition would not worsen. However, subsequent examinations conducted upon his return to Barcelona revealed a more significant tear than previously diagnosed in the United States. “It was an accident. Someone fell on top of me and I had a small discomfort in the knee,” De Jong explained. “They told me that I could continue playing… We did the tests and it turned out that the injury was bigger than when they examined it in the United States. It was very hard because I didn’t expect it. Nobody expected it.”
Club Backing and Medical Consensus
Despite persistent rumors surrounding his recovery path and physical availability, De Jong emphasized unity with the club’s hierarchy, technical staff, and medical department. Reports indicate that Barcelona’s medical staff has agreed with the player’s management to avoid surgical intervention for the knee ligament issue, opting instead for a conservative recovery program under Hansi Flick’s supervision.
