FC Barcelona: De Jong lifts the lid on the rumors

Frenkie de Jong has set the record straight about his injury and taken aim at certain journalists, as Barcelona pursue targets Rodri and Ounahi.

Frenkie de Jong broke his silence to address the flood of reports since his knee injury sustained during the 2026 World Cup.

"I've noticed there has been a lot of noise and false information about me lately, and it really bothers me," said the Dutch midfielder, who will be sidelined for several months.

De Jong explains how his injury worsened

The 29-year-old claims he continued playing after receiving the green light from the Dutch medical staff. However, tests upon returning to FC Barcelona revealed his injury had worsened.

"It was a brutal shock that no one saw coming. Now, I have to stop and focus on my recovery," he explained.

De Jong also denied refusing to play against Atlético Madrid, calling that claim a lie aimed at damaging his reputation.

Rodri remains an extremely tough operation

This lengthy absence now forces Barcelona to bolster their midfield. The top priority remains Rodri, but Manchester City have no need to sell their midfielder, who is under contract until June 2027. The Cityzens have already rejected several Catalan offers and are reportedly demanding between €70 and €80 million. Rodri's recent injury history could also push Barça to sign a second midfielder.

Real also : FC Barcelona: Barça activates plan B after complications with Julián Álvarez

Azzedine Ounahi also under consideration

With that in mind, Azzedine Ounahi is on Barça's radar. The Moroccan is coming off a strong season with Girona, tallying five goals and two assists in 24 La Liga matches. He then impressed at the 2026 World Cup, featuring in six games—starting five—and scoring twice. Less expensive than Rodri and already proven in the Spanish league, the 26-year-old midfielder could be a smart addition to strengthen Hansi Flick's squad for the long term.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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