Frenkie de Jong facing months out after World Cup injury as Barcelona await scan results

Netherlands and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is facing the prospect of several months on the sidelines after injuring his right knee at the 2026 World Cup, with further medical tests due to take place on Friday.

The 29-year-old will undergo additional examinations to determine the full extent of the damage, amid growing concern at Barcelona that he may miss the start of the new season.

De Jong returned to the club’s training complex on Monday for an initial assessment by Barca’s medical staff. Scans carried out then confirmed there was a problem in his right knee, prompting the decision to order more detailed tests at the end of the week.

Fears over lengthy absence

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, early indications suggest De Jong could be sidelined for “several months”, a scenario that would rule him out of pre-season and possibly the opening phase of Barcelona’s league campaign.

The club is understood to be adopting a cautious approach, waiting for Friday’s results before making any definitive statement on his recovery timetable.

If the worst-case diagnosis is confirmed, Barcelona are preparing to release an official medical bulletin clarifying the nature and seriousness of the injury. However, the report adds that any such communication will only be issued with the player’s explicit consent.

Played at World Cup under painkilling injections

Mundo Deportivo also reports that Barcelona’s medical department have discovered De Jong played part of the World Cup while relying on painkilling injections.

The newspaper says this detail has been echoed in Dutch media coverage of the midfielder’s condition, raising fresh questions over how he was managed during the tournament and whether his condition may have been aggravated.

Barcelona have not commented publicly on that aspect, but the information has added to anxiety within the club over the long-term fitness of one of their most important players.

Injury-plagued season

De Jong’s knee problem comes on the back of an already disrupted season at club level.

The former Ajax playmaker suffered two separate muscle injuries during the last campaign. The second of those setbacks kept him out of action for close to two months, limiting his appearances in key stages of Barcelona’s season.

Those muscular issues had already prompted Barcelona to monitor his workload carefully, and the current knee concern is likely to intensify scrutiny of his fitness management for both club and country.

Key figure at risk for new campaign

De Jong is a central figure in Barcelona’s midfield structure, valued for his ability to dictate play from deep and carry the ball through pressure. Any long-term absence would force the club to rethink their plans for the opening months of the season and could influence their strategy in the transfer market.

For now, Barcelona are awaiting the results of Friday’s tests before deciding on next steps, with both the club and the Dutch national team braced for confirmation of how long they will be without one of their most influential players.