Frenkie de Jong

Analysis: De Jong has completed his recovery from a lengthy knee layoff and is now in contention to make his first appearance of the season. His minutes are likely to be managed as he regains match fitness, and with Rodri now in the squad, De Jong may have to settle for a rotational role rather than his previous status as a regular starter.

Aug 25, 2026

Battles pain in return to grass

De Jong (knee) stepped onto the pitch at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva on Tuesday to do individual work and continues to progress in his recovery, though he still feels pain, according to SPORT ES.

Analysis: De Jong has been working his way back from a medial collateral ligament tear in his right knee, sustained during the World Cup, with Barcelona opting for conservative treatment since. On Tuesday, he did some solo running and controlled drills to gauge how the knee responds, though discomfort persists, particularly when braking. With the club and player unwilling to rush things, his workload will only build once the pain eases, and group training remains some way off. Even once available, he could struggle to reclaim a starting role with Rodri and Pedri currently locked into the midfield, unless Hansi Flick opts to use him in a more advanced position.