Barcelona have been dealt another injury setback after Frenkie de Jong was diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear in his right knee following his return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Softfootball understands that the Dutch midfielder played through pain during the tournament after initial medical assessments suggested the injury was only minor. However, further examinations after his return to Barcelona revealed more significant damage than first anticipated.
Despite earlier concerns that De Jong could face a spell of up to four months on the sidelines, Barcelona’s medical staff have decided against immediate surgery. Instead, the club will pursue a conservative rehabilitation programme while closely monitoring his progress over the coming week before making any further decisions.
The latest setback comes months after reports that De Jong was forced to withdraw from Barcelona training because of significant discomfort. At the time, early medical assessments pointed to a muscular tear that was expected to keep him out for five to six weeks.
Barcelona will now hope the conservative treatment plan proves successful and allows one of their most influential midfielders to avoid surgery. The club’s medical team is expected to reassess his condition regularly before determining a timeline for his return to competitive action.
