Rodri receives hero’s welcome as Barcelona fans boo Frenkie de Jong

Rodri was given a spectacular reception by Barcelona supporters on his first appearance in front of the club’s home crowd, while Frenkie de Jong was booed during the team’s presentation before the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Egyptian side Al Ahly.

The Spain midfielder, wearing the number 16 shirt, received more chants and applause than any other player as Barcelona’s squad was introduced at Spotify Camp Nou.

His welcome offered an early indication of the excitement surrounding his arrival at the Catalan club. According to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri walked on to the pitch alongside Dani Olmo, and the crowd erupted into chants and applause as soon as they recognised the new signing in a Barcelona shirt.

Several supporters were already wearing Barcelona shirts bearing Rodri’s name, despite the thousands of jerseys carrying the names of Lamine Yamal and Pedri that were also visible in the stands. The sight reflected the expectations already attached to the deal.

Rodri appeared visibly affected by the atmosphere inside Spotify Camp Nou. He repeatedly looked towards the stands during the presentation before receiving the loudest reception of the evening.

The midfielder appears to have joined Barcelona with expectations extending beyond those normally placed on a new signing. He is viewed as someone who could assume a leadership role within a young and ambitious squad, a responsibility also reflected in the calm and confident manner of his introduction.

For De Jong, however, the presentation brought a considerably more difficult experience. Mundo Deportivo reported that the Netherlands midfielder was met by more boos than applause.

The reaction appeared to be linked to his explanations about his injury during the World Cup, which is expected to keep him out of the team during the opening part of the season. De Jong has also temporarily lost the Barcelona captaincy, a development that appeared to intensify the response from supporters when he came on to the pitch.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was the first person to address the crowd, in an appearance that carried particular emotional significance for the German.

Although Flick continues to conduct his news conferences in English, he surprised supporters by using phrases in Catalan during the presentation. He also recalled his father, who died last season, saying that what he remembered from that difficult day was the support and warmth he received from the Barcelona family.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much,” Flick told the crowd.

He then thanked Joan Laporta and Deco for their work in building the squad and promised that Barcelona would compete for every trophy. Flick ended his message with a clear statement of collective ambition: “Together we are stronger.”

Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal were among the other players to receive a strong reception. Raphinha, meanwhile, spoke as the team’s captain for the occasion.

The Brazil forward sought to raise the energy inside the stadium again, insisting that everything starts afresh with the beginning of the new season.

Raphinha opened his address by sending a message to team-mate Rony Bardghji, who has suffered a serious injury, and congratulated Barcelona’s World Cup-winning players.

He also addressed the new arrivals, warning them about the responsibility that comes with representing the club.

“Wearing this badge is a very big responsibility,” he said.

Through his words and presence, Raphinha helped transfer the excitement from the presentation to the stands. But on a night intended to signal the beginning of a new chapter for Barcelona, it was Rodri who emerged as the central figure.