Barcelona Dealt Crushing Injury Blow That Could Derail Champions League Dreams

Barcelona has confirmed that midfielder Frenkie de Jong has sustained a hamstring injury during training and will face an extended period away from action.

Concern arose in Catalonia on Thursday when De Jong collapsed during training and was unable to finish the session. The reigning Spanish champions were anxious about the midfielder's condition as he underwent additional medical examinations, but the results brought disappointing news.

Barcelona has verified that De Jong suffered damage to the distal biceps of his right leg and is anticipated to be sidelined for approximately six weeks. The Dutch international will consequently miss all of March and the initial weeks of April, presenting Hansi Flick with another injury concern to manage.

De Jong's Injury Arrives at an Unfortunate Moment for Barcelona

De Jong's Injury Arrives at an Unfortunate Moment for Barcelona

The absence of De Jong at any stage of the campaign would represent a significant setback for the Catalan club. The 28-year-old serves as the foundation of Flick's midfield setup and provides the vital connection between Barcelona's defensive and offensive units.

De Jong has featured in 31 matches this season and has already recorded seven assists, equaling his personal best for a single season. The midfielder also recently netted his first goal of the 2025–26 campaign during the team's 3–0 victory against Levante.

However, Flick must now cope without De Jong for an extended period, creating another injury challenge for the German manager. Just as he welcomed Pedri back from the treatment room, he now loses the Spaniard's midfield companion.

The situation becomes even more problematic as the injury occurs during a particularly challenging period for Barcelona, with several difficult matches approaching.

What Matches Will De Jong Miss for Barcelona Due to His Hamstring Problem?

What Matches Will De Jong Miss for Barcelona Due to His Hamstring Problem?

Should De Jong require the complete six-week recovery period, he will be absent for eight Barcelona fixtures across all tournaments. Challenging La Liga encounters lie ahead for Flick's squad, including this weekend's clash against third-positioned Villarreal.

The Catalans are also scheduled to face Athletic Club, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid during De Jong's expected rehabilitation period. This sequence of matches puts Barcelona against the strongest teams in Spanish football, excluding Real Madrid, while maintaining just a one-point advantage at the league summit.

The more significant losses occur beyond La Liga competition, however. De Jong will be unavailable for both Champions League round of 16 matches, where Barcelona will meet either Newcastle United or Paris Saint-Germain.

He will also miss the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Diego Simeone's Atlético, who possess a dominant 4–0 advantage following their impressive performance at the Metropolitano in the opening encounter.

*Barcelona will discover their Champions League round of 16 opponents during Friday's draw.