FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, an injury confirmed by tests on Wednesday that will sideline him for the opening weeks of the 2026/27 season.
The club said no surgery is required and that De Jong will follow a conservative recovery plan monitored over the coming weeks. He will miss Barcelona's LaLiga opener against Elche on 24 August.
The injury was sustained during the 2026 World Cup, where De Jong played all four of the Netherlands' matches before their elimination by Morocco on 29 June, reportedly through discomfort. The midfielder took to social media to deny allegations that he prioritised his national team over his club commitments, reaffirming his dedication to Barcelona.