Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong has broken his silence on the long-running debate about his salary, dismissing most reports as fake news. Speaking recently, after confirming his new deal with Barcelona until 2029, as reported by Softfootball, De Jong insisted that the numbers circulating in the media were greatly exaggerated and never accurate.
His contract renewal follows years of speculation about his future, often fuelled by Barcelona’s financial issues and rumours linking him to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. Despite that, De Jong reached an agreement with Barcelona, as reported by Softfootball, and accepted a more balanced pay structure, a move that reflects his commitment to the club.
Sources close to the player revealed that his previous gross salary, including bonuses and deferred payments, stood around €25–27 million per year and not the €37–40 million often splashed across headlines. Much of the confusion came from deferred payments during the pandemic, which made the figures look inflated on paper.
Fabrizio Romano, via his official X account, shared a direct quote from Frenkie de Jong denying exaggerated salary rumours at Barcelona, emphasising inaccurate media reports over recent years amid his new contract extension to 2029.
De Jong admitted that the misinformation had affected how fans and media perceive him. He said:
Many fake news were shared about this in recent years. What was said about my salary was exaggerated and never accurate.
Still, he refused to give precise figures, stressing instead that loyalty and performance matter more than perception.
Now back to his best under Hansi Flick, De Jong has been instrumental in Barcelona’s return to form, controlling games alongside Pedri González and leading their La Liga title charge. Sporting director Deco also expressed confidence in the club’s long-term project with De Jong at its heart.
For De Jong, this new deal isn’t just paperwork; it’s a quiet statement of loyalty, maturity, and pride. He’s done explaining. The pitch will do the rest.
