Frenkie de Jong’s path at Barcelona has been a saga of missed opportunities, growing tensions, and a fanbase divided
between admiration for his technical prowess and exasperation over his apparent deficiencies. https://fandejong.com/
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## The Unachieved Promise: From Ajax Wunderkind to Barcelona’s Enigma
The Dutch midfielder arrived at Camp Nou in 2019 as one of Europe’s highly coveted playmakers, fresh from a Champions League semi-final campaign with Ajax that demonstrated his capacity to control games with poise and vision. His €75 million signing represented a strategic purchase in a player capable of stabilizing Barcelona’s midfield engine room.
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## The Fitness Crisis: Catalyst for Discontent
De Jong’s 2023-24 season marked a critical juncture in fan sentiment. A severe ankle injury sustained against Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde sidelined him for six months. His rushed return led to persistent relapses, with medical staff pushing for surgical intervention – an option De Jong rejected in favor of conservative therapy.
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## Wage Stalemate: Postponed Salaries and Commitment Scrutinized
The heart of the conflict lies in De Jong’s employment agreement – a vestige from Josep Maria Bartomeu’s fiscally negligent administration. To address COVID-19 losses, Barcelona delayed €17 million of his earnings, creating a burgeoning €30 million liability that accumulates through 2026. This payment structure, combined with La Liga’s payroll constraints, restricted the club’s capability to ratify new recruits.
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## The Derision Episode: Nadir in Player-Supporter Relations
The zenith of animosity occurred on November 26, 2024, during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Brest. When withdrawn in the 88th minute, De Jong was met with scornful catcalls and chants of “Fora De Jong!” – a sharp difference to the acclaim received by Pedri. Manager Hansi Flick’s apparent frustration with the crowd emphasized the toxic atmosphere.
