Football Club Barcelona has reported that Frenkie de Jong will not play against Valencia this weekend, as he picked up a muscle injury while playing for the Netherlands during the international break.
The 28-year-old midfielder limped off in the closing stages of the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw against Poland last Thursday, leaving the pitch in the 83rd minute. Softfootball understands that he was later ruled out of the squad’s following match against Lithuania and immediately returned to Barcelona for medical checks.
Today, the Catalan club released an update via their official X handle:
“The player Frenkie de Jong has suffered a slight injury to the external obturator muscle in his right leg. His recovery will determine his availability.”
Neither the club nor the player knows when exactly De Jong will return, and the club is opting to monitor his progress day by day. Barcelona are expected to be careful with their approach, and De Jong will certainly miss the trip to Mestalla.
The Dutch international had been an ever-present in the opening weeks of the season, completing 90 minutes in both of Barça’s league fixtures before the break. His absence now forces head coach Hansi Flick into an early reshuffle of his midfield options.
De Jong is a key figure in how Barcelona plays, dictating tempo and offering defensive balance. Without him, Hansi Flick may have to rely more heavily on the likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Marc Casado, especially with Marc Bernal still recovering from his long-term injury.
The injury setback comes at a challenging moment, with Barcelona juggling domestic fixtures and preparing for the Champions League group stage opener later this month. For now, the focus will be on De Jong’s recovery, with fans hoping the layoff will be short-lived.
