Frenkie de Jong’s career at Barcelona has been a narrative of missed opportunities, growing tensions, and a fanbase split

Frenkie de Jong’s odyssey at Barcelona has been a saga of missed opportunities, growing tensions, and a fanbase split

between appreciation for his tactical genius and exasperation over his apparent deficiencies. https://fandejong.com/

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## The Unachieved Promise: From Ajax Prodigy to Barcelona’s Puzzle

The Dutch midfielder arrived at Camp Nou in 2019 as one of Europe’s highly coveted midfield maestros, fresh from a Champions League semi-final campaign with Ajax that showcased his aptitude to govern games with elegance and insight. His €75 million signing represented a future investment in a talent equipped of stabilizing Barcelona’s playmaking hub.

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## The Injury Plague: Catalyst for Discord

De Jong’s 2023-24 season marked a turning point in fan opinion. A severe ankle injury sustained against Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde benched him for six months. His rushed return led to recurring setbacks, with medical staff advocating for an operation – an option De Jong rejected in favor of traditional recovery methods.

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## Financial Deadlock: Deferred Payments and Loyalty Questioned

The heart of the conflict lies in De Jong’s salary package – a holdover from Josep Maria Bartomeu’s financially irresponsible tenure. To manage COVID-19 losses, Barcelona deferred €17 million of his earnings, creating a burgeoning €30 million debt that accumulates through 2026. This economic model, combined with La Liga’s payroll constraints, restricted the club’s ability to enroll new signings.

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## The Jeering Incident: Low Point in Player-Supporter Relations

The peak of animosity occurred on November 26, 2024, during Barcelona’s Champions League fixture against Brest. When substituted in the 88th minute, De Jong was subjected to derisive whistles and chants of “Fora De Jong!” – a stark contrast to the acclaim bestowed upon Pedri. Manager Hansi Flick’s apparent frustration with the crowd underscored the toxic atmosphere.