Frenkie de Jong Declares Himself Ready for El Clásico as Barcelona Face Real Madrid
Frenkie de Jong is back in the spotlight ahead of the highly anticipated El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid after declaring himself ready to return from a lengthy injury absence. However, the Dutch midfielder’s comeback is not just about whether he will feature against Barcelona’s biggest rivals; it is also about the criticism he faced while he was sidelined.
De Jong says he feels physically fit and is ready to play again, expressing hope that he will get some minutes against Real Madrid at Camp Nou. However, he is not expected to start the match, with a substitute appearance appearing to be the more likely scenario, according to a report by Barca Blaugranes.
The Dutch midfielder has been unavailable for Barcelona since the beginning of the season after suffering a knee injury while playing for the Netherlands at the World Cup. The injury kept him out of club action for around three months, despite his involvement with the national team during the tournament.
De Jong also addressed the criticism he received during his absence, explaining that the noise surrounding him tends to increase whenever he is unable to play. He said he understands why some Barcelona fans have been frustrated, particularly after seeing him represent the Netherlands at the World Cup before missing an extended period with their club side.
The midfielder acknowledged the reasons behind those reactions but stressed that being unable to play was frustrating for him as well as for Barcelona. He wanted to be on the pitch, but his injury made that impossible. He also noted that various stories and speculation emerged during his absence, although he now feels that his recovery has gone well and that he is ready to return.
De Jong reiterated that he feels excellent after recovering from the injury and is eager to get back to playing football. Although he has been out for a long time, he says he is now in a good condition and is waiting to see whether he will get the opportunity to feature against Real Madrid.
His return would give Barcelona another option in midfield ahead of one of the biggest matches of the season. However, the final decision will depend on the coaching staff’s assessment of his fitness after such a lengthy spell out. De Jong, meanwhile, hopes El Clásico can mark the beginning of his return and help him reclaim his place in the team.
