Last September, De Jong suffered an ankle injury during a match against Celta de Vigo. Since then, he has been plagued by recurring ankle problems. In the national derby in April, De Jong sustained another severe ankle injury and has not played a single game for Barca since then.
In the subsequent European Cup matches, although De Jong was included in the Netherlands’ squad, he did not participate in any games due to ankle discomfort. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, De Jong is currently undergoing conservative treatment, but it’s clear that Barca can no longer tolerate this ongoing absence from play.
It is understood that Barca has given De Jong a 15-day deadline. They hope that the player will be able to make adjustments, and if he is still unable to return to competition after 15 days, the club will arrange for him to undergo surgery to end this prolonged period of inactivity.
De Jong previously stated that he does not want his injury to worsen further, and if he feels he is not fully recovered, he will not take the field.
Barca’s requirement is straightforward: either return to play after 15 days or have surgery so that De Jong can at least help the team in the second half of the season. Otherwise, the player will need to consider his future, and the club may make a “major” decision.