Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is currently receiving medical care for a torn knee ligament sustained while representing the Netherlands at the World Cup. The Spanish club confirmed the diagnosis on Thursday, noting that the injury involves the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in the player’s right knee.
De Jong disclosed that he opted to play through discomfort during the tournament after initial assessments by the Dutch medical team suggested the injury was minor. He participated in two group stage matches and 109 minutes of the knockout round against Morocco, missing only one game against Tunisia. Upon his return to Barcelona, however, internal club medical evaluations revealed the damage was significantly more severe than initially reported.
The club has opted for a conservative treatment plan under the guidance of their medical staff, with plans to track his recovery in the coming weeks. De Jong noted that surgery is not currently required and he is prioritizing a return to competitive play. Barcelona is set to start their La Liga title defense against Elche on August 23.
