Frenkie de Jong’s career at Barcelona has been a saga of unmet expectations, mounting strain, and a fanbase divided
between admiration for his technical prowess and exasperation over his apparent deficiencies. https://fandejong.com/
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## The Unachieved Promise: From Ajax Prodigy to Barcelona’s Enigma
The Dutch midfielder arrived at Camp Nou in 2019 as one of Europe’s extremely desired midfield maestros, following a Champions League semi-final campaign with Ajax that demonstrated his ability to control games with poise and foresight. His €75 million acquisition represented a strategic purchase in a individual equipped of stabilizing Barcelona’s playmaking hub.
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## The Fitness Crisis: Catalyst for Discord
De Jong’s 2023/24 campaign marked a watershed moment in fan sentiment. A devastating ankle injury sustained against Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde incapacitated him for six months. His hasty rehabilitation led to ongoing complications, with medical staff advocating for a procedure – an option De Jong resisted in favor of conservative therapy.
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## Wage Stalemate: Deferred Payments and Allegiance Doubted
The center of the conflict lies in De Jong’s employment agreement – a vestige from Josep Maria Bartomeu’s fiscally negligent leadership. To address COVID-19 losses, Barcelona delayed €17 million of his earnings, creating a expanding €30 million obligation that compounds through 2026. This financial framework, combined with La Liga’s salary restrictions, hampered the club’s capacity to register new recruits.
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## The Jeering Incident: Trough in Player-Supporter Relations
The climax of animosity occurred on November 26, 2024, during Barcelona’s Champions League encounter against Brest. When substituted in the 88th minute, De Jong was subjected to mocking jeers and chants of “Fora De Jong!” – a marked opposition to the acclaim given to Pedri. Manager Hansi Flick’s visible irritation with the crowd emphasized the poisonous environment.