In a significant setback, Javi Miguel of AS reports that Barcelona’s midfielder and captain, Frenkie de Jong, is expected to spend an extended period recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Netherlands international may be sidelined for at least a month as a result of this injury.
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What happened?
As Barcelona gears up for their upcoming La Liga match against Villarreal, De Jong experienced physical discomfort during the final training session.
The Dutch midfielder is currently undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury, with sources suggesting it could be a muscle tear that might keep him out for around four weeks.
If this initial assessment is confirmed, De Jong could potentially miss up to seven matches across all competitions.
De Jong will be sidelined due to a hamstring injury. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
If his injury is confirmed as serious, he will be unavailable for critical matches, including the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, the Champions League Round of 16 ties against either PSG or Newcastle United, and La Liga matches against Villarreal, Athletic Club, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano.
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Moreover, De Jong will miss the upcoming international break with the Netherlands.
This injury is particularly frustrating for Hansi Flick and Barcelona, as the manager had finally almost a fully healthy squad at his disposal. De Jong’s absence creates a substantial void in midfield, especially with Pedri recently returning to play.
To compensate for De Jong’s loss, Flick may need to rely on players such as Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, or even Eric García to partner with Pedri in the midfield.