Barcelona midfield awaits De Jong’s next recovery step
Frenkie de Jong has shared a fitness update as he works to recover from the knee injury he sustained with the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, with Barca Blaugranes reporting that Barcelona hope he can return to full training after the international break. The midfielder has yet to play for the Blaugrana this season, and the training target is not confirmation that he will be available for a match.
His return would give Hansi Flick another option in a midfield that has had to plan without him for the opening stretch of the campaign. For now, the focus is on the next step in his rehabilitation rather than a firm date for his return to competitive action.
De Jong is still working towards a return
De Jong posted a carousel of images showing him working to get back into shape at the Ciutat Esportiva. The update offers a glimpse of his recovery work, but the report makes clear that he still has progress to make before he can be considered ready for selection.
The midfielder has missed Barcelona’s entire season so far after picking up the knee injury while with the Netherlands at the World Cup. His absence has shaped the club’s midfield planning; Barcelona’s search for midfield cover was one consequence of being without him.
Returning to full training would be an important checkpoint, but it would not by itself mean De Jong is ready to start or feature in a match. The next step is to work with his team-mates again, with his progress in that setting determining when he can move closer to a first-team comeback.
November remains a possibility, not a date
Barca Blaugranes report that current estimates point to a possible return to action in November, with an appearance against Alaves in La Liga among the potential scenarios if there are no further setbacks. That remains a projection, rather than a confirmed schedule from Barcelona.
The distinction matters for Flick’s planning. De Jong’s return to training could broaden the options available in midfield, but the club will need to see how his recovery progresses before counting on him for a specific fixture. Until then, Barcelona must continue to work with the midfielders available to them.
For De Jong, the immediate objective is to rejoin the group after the international break and build towards full readiness. A successful return to training would bring him closer to selection, but the November estimate will depend on how that next phase goes.
