Frenkie De Jong: The One Who Makes Football Simple

After a few turbulent seasons, FC Barcelona has risen again—this time under the wings of Hansi Flick. Although they exited the UEFA Champions League in the semi-finals, the Catalan giants have lifted the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and La Liga. Under the guidance of the German tactician, Barcelona has embraced an attacking brand of football. The young sensation Lamine Yamal, the dynamic Brazilian Raphinha, and the experienced Robert Lewandowski have led the charge up front, brilliantly supported by the artistry of ‘Pedri Potter’.
But behind all this attacking flair lies a quieter force—someone who controls the rhythm of the game with elegance and composure, wearing the captain’s armband. Yes, we're talking about Frenkie de Jong, the silent orchestrator behind Barcelona’s newfound stability.
Frenkie de Jong arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2019 after a sensational season with Dutch giants AFC Ajax. The move was a dream come true for the Dutch midfielder, who had always aspired to wear the Blaugrana jersey. However, he joined the club at one of its most difficult periods—both on and off the pitch.

Recently, De Jong reflected on those early years and Barcelona’s struggles in an interview: “I’m very happy at Barcelona. From a young age I’ve wanted to be here, so in that way, it has been a dream come true. But, of course, I would have liked to win more trophies than we did in my first two years. I expected more in that sense, let’s put it that way. But other than that, I’m very happy here and hopefully for many more years.” His words reflect both his deep love for the club and the challenges he has endured.
In 2019, Barcelona paid €75 million for Frenkie de Jong, which was a huge amount. At that time, Barça had spent similar sums on players like Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembélé, and Antoine Griezmann, but none of them lived up to expectations in the Blaugrana jersey. At times—and even at the start of this season—some fans questioned whether Frenkie would also turn out to be a flop due to his lack of consistency in form. But in the end, Frenkie silenced all those doubts in his usual calm style—just like the way he plays.
De Jong didn't play the first 10 matches for Barcelona this season. His absence was due to an ankle injury sustained during a match against Real Madrid on April 21, 2024. This injury was his third ankle issue of the 2023–24 season, leading to a prolonged recovery period. After his comeback, De Jong didn’t perform well, and players like Marc Casadó performed impressively. As a result, de jong came on as a substitute in most of the matches. During this time, some fans even brought up the topic of whether he should have moved to Manchester United back then. But slowly, He silenced those discussions with his performances.

The season’s first El Clásico was the match where Frenkie de Jong delivered his first standout performance of the year. Flick didn’t include the Dutchman in the starting midfield, opting instead for Pedri, Marc Casadó, and Fermín López. In the first half, no goals were scored, although Madrid dominated and had several goals ruled out for offside. Everything changed after Frenkie de Jong was brought on as a substitute.
Flick introduced Frenkie at halftime, replacing Fermín López and giving him the proud captain’s armband. His presence immediately brought composure and control to Barcelona’s midfield. Operating alongside Marc Casadó, he facilitated smoother ball progression and disrupted Real Madrid’s pressing efforts. His ability to maintain possession and dictate tempo allowed teammates like Pedri to adopt more advanced roles, enhancing the team’s offensive capabilities. A notable contribution was his involvement in the build-up to Barcelona’s second goal, where De Jong delivered a precise over-the-top pass to Alejandro Balde, who then assisted Robert Lewandowski’s goal. That performance marked a turning point in De Jong’s season and reaffirmed his role in the team.
This season, Pedri has been the most praised player on the Catalan side. Pedri thrived as a creative hub in Barcelona’s midfield, orchestrating play between the lines with intelligent positioning, quick combinations, and decisive final-third passing. Frenkie’s presence was a key factor behind Pedri’s performance. De Jong’s deep-lying control and press resistance provided Pedri the freedom to operate higher up, enhancing his creative influence and fluid link-up play in the final third.

Barcelona’s engine room: Frenkie and Pedri in the Copa del Rey final. PHOTO: Instagram/@frenkiedejong

Frenkie de Jong played wonderfully throughout this season, even in matches that Barcelona lost. He performed exceptionally well in the UCL second leg semi-final against Inter Milan, a match Barcelona lost. De Jong showcased his exceptional ball control and distribution in that match. After the game, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi shared his reflections, saying, “Frenkie de Jong impressed me just as much as Yamal. Always well-positioned to help the defense, always ready to clean up the ball. It was something sensational.”
On the official Instagram account of the 2022 World Cup, a number of legends were asked to discuss players, and Barcelona’s former player Xavi Hernandez chose Frenkie de Jong. He did not want to compare himself to de jong: “Frenkie de Jong is Frenkie de Jong. He has nothing to do with Andrés Iniesta, me, or Sergio Busquets. He is a completely different player.” He also added, “I was very happy when Frenkie de Jong signed for Barcelona. I consider him a footballer who can indicate a new era at Barcelona.”
As Xavi said, Frenkie de Jong is preparing to usher in a new era at Barcelona and will likely be the leader of the club’s future projects. This season, Frenkie has also displayed impressive leadership qualities. He is the club’s third captain, behind Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araújo. However, due to Ter Stegen’s injury and Araújo’s inconsistent performances, Frenkie has worn the captain’s armband in most matches.
The Dutchman and the Catalan club are currently working on his contract extension. Through this extension, De Jong is cementing the Dutch connection with the Blaugrana jersey. He has also surpassed the great Johan Cruyff in terms of most appearances for the Blaugrana, and if things go well, he will continue to play a significant role at FC Barcelona—and also for the Netherlands national team.