Injured at World Cup, De Jong could miss four months with Barcelona

Frenkie De Jong returned injured from the World Cup and could miss up to four months of competition with FC Barcelona, according to information from Spanish newspaper Marca published on July 14, 2026.

The 29-year-old Dutch midfielder, eliminated with the Netherlands in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, underwent pre-season medical tests earlier this week at the Catalan club. The results proved concerning: injured at the knee during the tournament, De Jong is actually suffering from a more serious injury than initially thought. The exact diagnosis has not yet been made public, with further tests to be carried out to determine its precise nature and severity.

If the four-month absence is confirmed, the number 21 blaugrana would not return to competition until around mid-November, thus missing the start of the Liga season and the opening matches of the Ligue des Champions.

The news comes at the worst possible time for Hansi Flick. FC Barcelona, crowned Spanish champions for the second consecutive year, is beginning its pre-season without most of its international players, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Pau Cubarsí, still competing in the World Cup semi-final against France on Tuesday. De Jong’s prolonged absence, a cornerstone of the Catalan midfield, would constitute a serious handicap for the European ambitions of a club eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Ligue des Champions last season.