BARCELONA
When will Frenkie de Jong return for Barcelona? El Clásico injury confirmed
De Jong was stretchered off at the end of the first half against Real Madrid following a clash with Fede Valverde.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to miss the rest of the domestic season after suffering an injury in Sunday’s dramatic defeat to Real Madrid in El Clásico.
De Jong suffers third ankle injury of the season
The Dutchman was carried off on a stretcher at the end of the first half at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu after colliding with Fede Valverde.
A source confirmed to ESPN that de Jong would be forced to sit out Barça’s six remaining LaLiga matches of the season because of an ankle injury, which is his third of the campaign. The former Ajax man missed 10 matches between September and November because of a sprain, and another four in March because of a similar issue.
Will de Jong play for the Netherlands at Euro 2024?
The 26-year-old is, however, expected to be fit to play for the Netherlands at Euro 2024. The Dutch national team, managed by former Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman, start the tournament in Germany against Poland on Sunday 16 June, by which time de Jong should have recovered.
Barcelona’s defeat in El Clásico means they are facing a trophy-less season, with Real Madrid now 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga with only 18 left to play for. Xavi Hernández’s side were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain last week, which means their six remaining 2023/24 fixtures are all in the league.
As Barça are nine points ahead of fourth-placed Atlético Madrid, who occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot, there is unlikely to be too much for the Catalans to play for, which will soften the blow of losing de Jong.