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Barcelona are reportedly furious after Frenkie de Jong returned to the club with a serious knee injury that could keep him out of action for as long as six months. The Catalan club is said to be deeply upset with Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman and the Dutch national team's medical staff, believing they were misled about the midfielder’s actual condition during the recent international fixtures.

Barcelona medical team alarmed at De Jong’s condition

When De Jong arrived back at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday, expectations regarding his recovery were already modest, but the reality turned out to be far worse than anticipated. The Dutch international, who had been granted leave until July 20, decided to return ahead of schedule to have his right knee examined by Barcelona’s doctors due to considerable swelling. After an initial conversation with head coach Hansi Flick, the medical team carried out examinations that revealed a completely unstable knee joint.

According to Spanish outlet AS, the situation appears to be serious enough that club doctors suspect ligament damage. However, due to internal bleeding in the knee, an MRI scan could not be performed immediately. The medical staff must now wait several days for the swelling to subside before they can accurately determine the extent of the damage. Early assessments have left the club in shock about the player’s physical state.

Growing frustration over alleged mishandling by the Netherlands

Barcelona officials believe they were deliberately misled by the Dutch camp. While the club was aware that De Jong had received two injections to participate in recent matches against Tunisia and Morocco, they were not informed about how severe his injury truly was. There is increasing suspicion at Camp Nou that De Jong played through a major injury against Morocco — a match that went into extra time before the Netherlands were eliminated in the round of 32 on penalties — which may have significantly worsened his condition.

“We will wait to see how Koeman and Frenkie explain this serious issue,” sources within Barcelona told the Spanish press, reflecting the frustration running through the club. The board reportedly believes the national team acted negligently, prioritising short-term tournament success over the player’s long-term health.

Koeman and De Jong face backlash

The relationship between Barcelona and Koeman has long been tense, and this latest controversy has reignited unresolved tensions. The club has not forgotten Koeman’s past criticism of their management of De Jong’s fitness near the end of the 2023–24 season, which ultimately saw the player miss out on the European Championship. Now, Barcelona officials are turning the tables, questioning why the Dutch staff took what they call “unacceptable risks.”

It’s not only the national team staff under scrutiny — De Jong himself is also being criticised for not properly recognising or communicating his physical limits. The club believes he should have stopped playing rather than pushing through pain, a decision that might now sideline him for four to six months if surgery becomes necessary.

Medical concerns and fears of surgery

Barcelona’s frustration also extends to the Netherlands’ medical team, who had previously assured them that De Jong’s situation was stable and that all treatments were being conducted with care. However, the current findings suggest otherwise, leading club officials to believe the midfielder was pushed to play beyond safe limits.

If further examinations confirm the worst, surgery could be required to repair the knee, ruling De Jong out for the first half of the upcoming season. That would be a major setback for new coach Hansi Flick, who views De Jong as a crucial part of his plans. The Dutch midfielder was instrumental in Barcelona’s previous campaign, making 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring once and providing eight assists as the team secured the La Liga title.