Ronald Koeman makes Barcelona criticism over Frenkie de Jong injury | OneFootball

Barcelona must take the blame for the injury which ended Frenkie de Jong’s chances of playing for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

That is the view of Dutch head coach Ronald Koeman who led his side to the semi finals despite the blow of missing de Jong in Germany.

De Jong missed the final weeks of the 2023/24 season, due to a persistent ankle problem, and his return date remains unknown.

He joined up with Koeman’s squad before the tournament but was ultimately forced to pull out as his injury failed to heal.

Koeman has previously slammed Barcelona for putting to much strain on their players as part of a busy schedule.

The former Barcelona boss has reiterated that stance and admitted he is concerned over when de Jong will return for club and country with surgery now an option.

“He’s worried about his injury. Before the Euros we thought he would not make the first match but hoped he would be able to play in the tournament, in the end it was not like that”, as per reports from Mundo Deportivo.

“He has a serious injury and we have to wait and see how everything goes. I hope he recovers quickly, but he is not ready to play yet.”

De Jong will remain in Spain as Barcelona head off on a preseason tour of the USA but he is not expected to be fit in time for the start of the La Liga season in August.