Frenkie de Jong breaks the silence. Sidelined since April due to a serious ankle injury, the Dutch international has been able to read everything and the opposite about him in the press. Salary of 37 million euros gross per season, refusal to have an operation against Barça’s medical advice… A trial of intent which has in a certain way damaged the image of the player, annoyed and forced to give his version facts. In an interview given to the media Barca One this Sunday, the former Ajax player denied everything outright.
“They talked a lot about me, saying I didn’t want to have surgery even though I was extremely well paid. It was said that I received a salary of 37 million euros, which is completely false! We are very, very far from that. I’m not close to earning that amount, I’m extremely far from it. I understand people who are frustrated because they think I get paid a lot of money“, expressed the 27-year-old. Comments directly aimed at the Catalan press, known to be in the pay of Barça.
He doesn’t want to leave either.
Regarding his refusal to undergo surgery on this stubborn ankle, already affected three times in recent years, de Jong affirmed that it was a decision taken with the consent of his club: people think that I earn a lot of money, that I didn’t want to have an operation, that I was on vacation, that I wasn’t training… But that’s not true. Everyone at the club agreed that the best solution was not to have the operation. Having three injuries to the same ankle caused me some mental trauma.”
Today, the midfielder says he is feeling better, and is impatient at the idea of returning to the pitch: “I am gradually regaining confidence in myself to kick the ball, to show commitment. I’ll be back soon. It’s very frustrating for a player who breathes football to be sidelined. Be captain of Barça? It’s a source of pride. I will give everything as always and try to set a good example for people and my teammates.”he concluded. A way, too, to cut short future rumors about his future, as has now been the case for several summers. Under contract until 2026, de Jong seems on course to honor it until the end.
