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Barça: Frenkie de Jong continues his rehab before Basel on August 16
Injured, Frenkie de Jong says he is focusing all his energy on his rehabilitation. The Dutch midfielder wants to return quickly, help a squad he sees as strengthened and ambitious, and continue his story with FC Barcelona.
An absence that weighs first on the player
Frenkie de Jong is not trying to soften the assessment. The FC Barcelona midfielder is going through a phase he describes as difficult, because the most essential part of his daily life is temporarily out of reach. He explains that what he loves above all is playing football, and that being unable to do so makes this period particularly painful. His injury is presented as an accident, with one aggravating factor on a personal level: it turned out to be more serious than expected afterward.
In his words, the hardest part was later realizing that the injury was more serious than the first impressions had suggested. No one expected it, he stresses, and that surprise shifted all of his attention toward one single priority. For now, his message is simple: he wants to focus on his rehabilitation and return to the pitch.
A program approved with the club
Frenkie de Jong’s return is not based on improvisation. The player says he is currently working with physical rehabilitation specialists. A program has been established, and he emphasizes one important point: this plan is unanimously supported. The stated objective is to ensure a safe and solid return, in agreement with the club, rather than a rushed comeback.
The Dutchman also details the areas he can control during this period: nutrition, rest and physical condition. His message is not about a precise timetable, because no return date is given in the interview. Instead, he stresses daily demands, with the idea of coming back stronger and as quickly as possible.
The Culers as a source of support
In the middle of this constrained spell, Frenkie de Jong says he feels the support of the Culers. He directly links that backing to Barça’s identity, echoing the idea of the club as “More than a Club.” The player does not present this support as a simple emotional backdrop: he says it makes him happy and that he feels it during a difficult period connected to his injury.
This bond with the supporters fits into the club’s broader current landscape, with its homepage highlighting the teams, upcoming matches, the official store, video content and several entry points into the blaugrana world. In this season landscape restarting around the pitch, the community and heritage, the FC Barcelona Museum remains one of the landmarks tied to the club’s identity.
A dressing room De Jong believes is ready to aim high
Even while injured, Frenkie de Jong views the season with optimism. Asked about the team, he replies that the outlook is very positive and that the group is enthusiastic. According to him, Barça already has a very solid squad, while continuing to strengthen well. He also emphasizes yearly progress, with a young team that is already used to winning titles.
That ambition does not stop at domestic competitions. De Jong explains that Barça wants to approach every competition with enthusiasm and that the group wants to win everything, every year. He does note, however, that the Champions League holds a special place in the team’s motivation. The wording remains measured, but the direction is clear: recent successes are not enough to close off the objectives.
La Masia and the new signings on his radar
Frenkie de Jong gives La Masia a major place in his analysis of Barcelona’s current moment. He describes what is happening there as incredible, because players can emerge while being almost unknown to the general public, then very quickly become key members of the team. In his eyes, this phenomenon is part of the club’s DNA and is a distinctive trait to preserve.
The midfielder also mentions the new signings. He presents them as excellent players, but also as very good people. His role, even during a rehabilitation phase, therefore remains connected to the life of the group: he says he tries to help them settle in as quickly as possible, so that they can help the team.
The calendar moves on without waiting for his return
While De Jong works on coming back, the club’s official page shows that the first team is moving forward with its preparations. Barça are listed to face Basel on Sunday, August 16 at 4:30 p.m. CEST at St. Jakob-Park, in a friendly match. The homepage also indicates that the game can be followed on Barça Play and on the members-only YouTube channel.
The displayed calendar then continues with the Joan Gamper Trophy against Al Ahly, on Wednesday, August 19 at 8 p.m. CEST at Spotify Camp Nou, followed by an away match against Elche in La Liga, on Sunday, August 23 at 9:30 p.m. CEST at Martínez Valero. These fixtures provide the immediate frame for a season De Jong is watching from his rehabilitation, with his stated desire to rejoin the group as quickly as possible.
Sources: fcbarcelona.fr