Barcelona set cautious timeline for Frenkie de Jong comeback

Barcelona are confident Frenkie de Jong will return to competitive action after the next FIFA international break, although the LaLiga champions do not expect the midfielder to be fully recovered until October.

The Netherlands international has missed the opening month of the 2026/27 campaign after suffering a knee ligament injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup last month. Barcelona asked De Jong to return early from his summer break so the injury could be assessed, with medical tests confirming a tear.

Sources close to the club have indicated that manager Hansi Flick is furious about the way De Jong’s injury was dealt with while he was with the Netherlands squad, known as La Oranje. Barcelona have subsequently sought compensation through FIFA’s Club Protection Scheme.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the club are satisfied with the progress of De Jong’s rehabilitation. However, Barcelona are determined not to put pressure on the former Ajax playmaker by bringing him back before he is ready.

His complete recovery is not expected until the middle of October, provided he does not suffer a setback or relapse. The midfielder will be assessed by Barcelona’s medical staff during the next international window, which begins on 21 September and finishes on 10 or 11 October.

De Jong hopes to rejoin full squad training by 8 October, when his international team-mates return to their clubs. That would give him the opportunity to work towards a possible return before Barcelona’s home fixture against Getafe.

The timetable means Barcelona are taking a deliberately cautious approach after the injury disrupted De Jong’s start to the new season. While the club believe he is progressing well, his rehabilitation will continue to be monitored before he is considered for a place in Flick’s squad.

Barcelona’s priority is to ensure the knee has recovered fully rather than accelerate his return during the early stages of the campaign. De Jong’s absence has therefore been extended into the opening weeks of the season, with the club targeting his comeback after the September-October international break rather than setting an earlier date.

The midfielder’s planned return to team sessions on 8 October remains dependent on his recovery continuing without complications. A final decision on his involvement will be made after further checks by the Barcelona medical team.