Frenkie de Jong’s Barcelona comeback put on hold after pain returns in latest test

Frenkie de Jong’s recovery at Barcelona has suffered a fresh setback after the Netherlands midfielder experienced pain and discomfort during an on-field fitness assessment on Tuesday.

De Jong spent only a few minutes on the pitch at the club’s training complex, where he carried out individual exercises away from the main squad. However, he soon informed the medical staff that he was still feeling discomfort, particularly when stopping and braking.

The latest test has reinforced concerns that the midfielder’s return to competitive action remains some distance away. De Jong had been viewed as nearing a comeback after several weeks of individual training, but the continuing pain means he cannot yet rejoin group sessions.

The Barcelona player is recovering from a serious right-knee injury sustained during the World Cup. Medical examinations carried out by the club confirmed a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Barcelona subsequently opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery and has continued to monitor De Jong’s condition closely. His rehabilitation has proved difficult, with the midfielder now facing a longer and more complicated route back than had been expected.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Tuesday’s session was designed to assess how De Jong’s leg reacted after a period of solo work. He completed some light running and highly controlled exercises, but the outcome was disappointing because the pain remained present.

The setback means De Jong is still unable to train with his team-mates. Barcelona and the player are taking an especially cautious approach, with no intention of rushing him back before he is ready.

The club will decide when to increase the intensity of De Jong’s training and when he can return to the squad according to his day-to-day progress. No fixed timetable has been set, and the next steps will depend on how his knee responds in the coming days.

Sport also reported that there is some frustration within Barcelona over the way De Jong managed his recovery during the previous season. That feeling has added to the scrutiny surrounding the midfielder’s rehabilitation, although both the player and the club are now determined to avoid taking unnecessary risks.

For now, De Jong has resumed running on the grass after putting his boots back on, but pain remains the defining issue in his recovery. The next few days are expected to determine whether he can gradually increase his workload or must continue with a limited individual programme.

The latest development has therefore complicated Barcelona’s hopes of welcoming back one of their key midfielders. A return that appeared to be approaching has been pushed further away following a test that exposed the problems still affecting his right knee.

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