Barcelona: Frenkie de Jong receives a major boost regarding his return from injury!

At last, a bit of welcome news for Barcelona supporters. Frenkie de Jong has been spotted back on the grass following months on the sidelines, though a competitive return remains some way off.

Citing Sport, CentreGoals reports that De Jong has resumed individual training as he works his way back from a ligament injury in his right knee. The midfielder completed running drills and controlled exercises, but has yet to rejoin the group.

• read more: Diego Simeone on FC Barcelona: “They are the best right now”

Right knee injury

Back in July, the Dutchman tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee — an injury he had initially played through in pain at the 2026 World Cup — and was originally looking at five to six months out. His road back has been far from straightforward: De Jong made headlines by turning down surgery, adamant it wasn't necessary, which ignited a public rift with the club's medical staff and management, who felt an operation was the only dependable fix.

It's a tale Camp Nou knows well — back in 2024, a near-identical standoff over an ankle problem kept him sidelined for close to five months.

Recent reports suggest the 29-year-old has made strides, yet he has also told doctors the pain persists, so Barcelona will not push him.

The stakes could hardly be higher: Flick's midfield has sorely lacked his control, and with Gavi also injured and Casadó away on loan at Deportivo, each week without De Jong further stretches the squad. A fully fit comeback after the international break would feel like a marquee signing in its own right.

Hazem Mlhem |

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Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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