Netherlands Boss Delivers Alarming Frenkie de Jong Injury Warning to Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong is scheduled to undergo medical examinations to assess the extent of his injury picked up while on international service, though Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman suggests the midfielder has escaped serious harm.
De Jong has been a regular fixture in the Dutch squad since emerging with Ajax in the late 2010s. The Barcelona playmaker collected his 60th international appearance on Thursday evening during a 1–1 stalemate with Poland, but was withdrawn late in the match with what Koeman subsequently described as gluteal muscle tightness.
Although his 83rd-minute removal appeared precautionary, De Jong has now left the Netherlands squad and traveled back to Barcelona after being ruled unfit for Sunday's encounter against Lithuania.
This development might have worried Barcelona fans, particularly considering the midfielder's injury record since arriving at the club, but their former manager, Koeman, has downplayed the seriousness of De Jong's problem.
"I don't believe it's particularly serious, but it's too dangerous to allow him to participate," the Netherlands head coach stated. "It wasn't sufficient to give him an opportunity in Sunday's fixture."
Koeman's team will be anticipated to comfortably defeat Lithuania in their fourth World Cup qualifying match, with the Orange currently leading Group G, having collected seven points from three encounters.
De Jong returned to Catalonia during the weekend and is scheduled for additional medical tests on Monday. Hansi Flick will hope the Dutch international is healthy and ready for Sunday's La Liga meeting with Valencia, but the German coach will also be considering the beginning of their Champions League journey away to Newcastle United the subsequent Thursday.
The 28-year-old has been a crucial component of Barcelona's midfield in 2025, creating an exceptional combination with Pedri. Despite his resurgence under Flick, missing this weekend wouldn't be catastrophic given the alternatives the manager has at his disposal. Barcelona have Gavi and Marc Casadó as backup options.