Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona confirmed Frenkie de Jong sustained a minor external obturator injury during his Netherlands national team camp
- The 28-year-old missed training and is expected to sit out the upcoming La Liga home fixture against Valencia on Sunday
- Coach Hansi Flick also contends with injuries to Alejandro Balde and Gavi, ruling all three out of the next match
Injury Setback for De Jong
Barcelona have officially announced that midfielder Frenkie de Jong is sidelined following an injury sustained whilst with the Dutch national team. This setback prevented him from featuring in the Netherlands’ recent 3-2 away victory over Lithuania, a match that was narrowly claimed by the “Oranje”.
According to the club’s official release: “The player Frenkie de Jong has suffered a minor injury to the external obturator muscle in his right leg. His recovery will determine his availability.” The midfielder has since returned to Barcelona, where he has undergone detailed medical assessments over the past several days.
MEDICAL NEWS!
The player Frenkie de Jong has suffered a slight injury to the external obturator muscle in his right leg. His recovery will determine his availability. pic.twitter.com/E9Sd4t93Hy
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 8, 2025
Absence from Training and Upcoming Fixtures
Sources have told SportingPedia that de Jong was not present at training at the club’s facility yesterday. It is expected that he will miss Barcelona’s La Liga home clash against Valencia on Sunday, as the club is prioritising his complete recovery. The aim is for the Netherlands international to be at full fitness ahead of Barcelona’s vital Champions League group stage opener against Newcastle, scheduled for September 18 (Thursday).
| Player | Injury | Estimated Return | Will Miss Match vs Valencia? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frenkie de Jong | Minor external obturator muscle injury (right leg) | Dependent on recovery | Yes |
| Alejandro Balde | Undisclosed recent injury | Unknown | Yes |
| Gavi | More serious than first anticipated | Unknown | Yes |
Squad Depth Concerns for Coach Hansi Flick
This development adds to manager Hansi Flick’s concerns, following recent injuries to Alejandro Balde and a setback in Gavi’s condition, which has proven more serious than initially diagnosed. All three players are unavailable for selection against the Bats, presenting a challenge for Barcelona in midfield and defensive rotations as they approach a packed fixture calendar.
