Frenkie de Jong Injury Leaves Barcelona Midfield Gap Ahead of 2026/27 Season

What happened?

Frenkie de Jong suffered an injury on international duty at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands, leaving Barcelona without a key midfielder for the start of the 2026/27 season. The club had requested De Jong return early from his summer break to assess the extent of the injury, which was confirmed to be a tear.

Why it matters for Frenkie de Jong

De Jong's injury has raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming season, with the midfielder optimistic about a return to action in September. However, the timing of his return will depend on the manager's decision, and De Jong sees himself as a starter.

What comes next?

Barcelona will kickoff their Spanish title defense on August 23 away at Elche, with the club considering options to fill the midfield gap. Marc Bernal, who was eased back into the squad last season following an ACL injury, is one potential candidate to fill the void.

Key takeaways:

• Frenkie de Jong suffered a tear in his leg during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• The injury has left Barcelona without a key midfielder for the start of the 2026/27 season.
• Marc Bernal is being considered as an option to fill the midfield gap.